After two cancellations and related re-scheduling, Irving finally had his appointment this morning with the Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau for drivers over 80 years of age. The test is always the same; an peripheral eye test, and a simple test to identify people with Alzheimer's. Irving can't get over some of the people present, some 21 in total, applying for license renewal, plus the one person from the  Bureau administering the tests and verifying the results. He seated himself beside a woman who studiously avoided looking at him.

Irving tends to be open and friendly; making small talk with strangers is one of his fortes. It's an environment where elderly people involuntarily get together because there are regulations they must satisfy to ensure it's safe for them to be on the road driving a vehicle. People tend to be understandably passionate about driving; for most it's something they've done most of their lives, it's a necessity for most people, and to have it withdrawn because of age-associated issues means a loss of independence for so many. Worse, it shakes their sense of self.

It's where people who are infirm with the toll that years has taken on their ability to get around with a measure of ease must prove to a regulating agency that they are alert enough, have the physical dexterity and the mental capacity to drive safely, and this makes them anxiety-ridden. It's surprising on the other hand to see the condition that some people are in physically, barely able to shuffle from one end of a room to the other, but still driving. 

While he was away I was busy washing winter garments. I had loaded the washing machine to begin the first laundry of winter jackets and the washing machine refused to cooperate. We bought a washier and dryer Whirlpool set about four years ago. When I pushed the start button, on it came and a second later the signal lights went off. I tried all manner of interventions to try to see whether I could get the machine going. We're still waiting for the repair part for our even newer Whirlpool dishwasher, so this was a rather inconvenient occurrence. I can do without the dishwasher, not the laundry machines.

I unplugged it, waited awhile, plugged it back in. Tried different settings, and the same thing occurred; an initial response, then it went dead. Door properly closed? Check. Dispenser properly filled? Check. Washer too full? Nope. Eventually, Irving returned home. He went downstairs to see if something had gone wrong with the fuse box. Nope. Then he turned the washer dial to cold cycle and it stayed on. I never use the cold cycle, but I leaped to use it this time. All my efforts had been in vain, his somehow convinced the washer to cooperate.

Today is yet another superb spring day, the third in a row of 18C, light wind and sun. Most of the snow in the backyard has now receded. Some tulip foliage is beginning to emerge, as are the lilies. There are some catkins hanging from the Corkscrew Hazel. The Magnolia tree's flower buds, in evidence throughout the winter, are beginning to enlarge. I'm eager to get out and do some gardening. Not yet, but soon.

Off we went to the ravine with Jackie and Jillie who were pleading with us to get out for our afternoon hike through the forest. They wouldn't even need those light jerseys we put on them if it weren't for the stubborn snowpack remaining in the ravine. At street level the atmosphere is benign and warm. Down in the ravine there are icy currents rising from the snow hugging the ground. Tomorrow will likely continue this warm spell, and more snow will melt. 

 

The sap has begun running in the trees, and for producers of maple syrup the season is upon them. We're beginning to see buds emerge on some of the trees and shrubs in the forest, although it will be many weeks yet before a light haze of green will begin to appear. But we're finally on our way to spring, and I keep planning the gardens in sweet anticipation of mid- to end-of-May when night frosts are unlikely to damage tender new plants.