There is one pic this week.

Danita’s application for Emeritus status was approved by the president of UMBC. She received the letter this week. She is quite pleased.

As well as things are going in general, sometimes specific events don’t click. Danita and I went out to dinner Thursday as we usually do. I wanted this dinner to be a special one. I booked a table at Baldwin’s Station, our favorite restaurant. I wanted to surprise Danita with flowers. I found a way to order flowers without her knowing. But the dinner didn’t work. The day was cold and rainy. Traffic was terrible. The room we were seated in was cold. And the flowers weren’t there. The food was very good, but we were so cold we didn’t even consider desert. We went home early and watched some TV.

Flowers

Friday was as unexpected as Thursday, but it was unexpectedly nice. Friday was Danita’s day to work this week. She attended a great seminar Friday morning. (about science and art, and other interdisciplinary activities.) Mid-morning, I received an apology from the florist. When they transcribed the order into the computer, they entered the wrong day. They delivered the flowers to our house. So I was able to surprise Danita after all. Friday evening we had a neighborhood party. These are always fun because the grouches and nay-sayers stay home. Everybody who comes is out to have a good time.

We’re getting a nice bonus from Panera for Danita’s first month of retirement. There’s a Panera a little over a mile away. We usually have breakfast out Sundays. The third Sunday is counting Sunday for me. We need a predictably quick breakfast. So we usually go to Panera on third Sundays. In April, folks who have their loyalty card can get one free bagel every day in April. We’re using it as a Bagel BOGO. So far, we’re walking through the flavors Panera offers. Every morning, one of us drives to Panera and gets two bagels to go. We bring them home and eat them with our own toaster, spreads, and coffee. Total cost: $1.27. That’s a bargain in anybody’s book.

We haven’t prepared food at home for two days. Breakfast is Panera bagels. Thursday I had lunch with Tony Chaprnka and Danita had leftovers. Thursday night was our night out. Friday morning was more Panera bagels. Danita had lunch as part of her seminar and I rode to the grocery store and brought home a salad. And Friday night was the neighborhood party. We’re living large here in Columbia.

I hope this finds everybody doing well.