spring has sprung.

Today was pretty excellent.

We have been having such nice weather, and the thought of letting it pass by without savoring it made me sad. For days and days, I have been wanting to ride my bike. I have been looking for people to go with me, but nobody else was interested, or they don't have a bike. haha. So I had to go alone.

I went out today around noon, and had about 3 hours until I had to pick my brother up from work. (I rode the trails right next to jail, so luckily I didn't have to go very far). I rode from the jail to the South Side (to the park across the river) and back, and then rode toward downtown to see what was that way. The trail ended, but I rode to Point State Park, and turned around before crossing the river to the North Shore. It was a really nice ride. The weather was beautiful, there were plenty of people out, and the city is gorgeous. It would have been nice to have someone else with me, but I definitely enjoyed myself. I want to do it again for sure.

When I got home from my biking adventure, I realized that I lost a spring that goes on my tire. (When I took the front tire off to fit the bike in my car, I must have lost it.) I went back to the jail parking lot to find it, to no avail. I am hoping that spring wasn't some necessary part that I will die without. It just goes between the bolt and tire when you put the tire back on. I'm not stressing too bad because I don't know what it does really. haha. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

This evening, I went to Rita's to get some free Italian ice with Betty and Jill, two women that I work with. They are sisters. Oh, and I have known them for pretty much my whole life. Betty is good friends with my mom, Jill was my dad's bartender. It's a small world.
Anyway, I was trying to decide if I feel silly for hanging out with 60-somethings on a Saturday night, and I decided that I don't feel silly. They are fun. And it definitely beats my other options for the evening, of which there are none.

But lately, I have really been missing the community that I had in college. I want to make new friends at home, but I don't really know how. haha. That sounds lame, but it's true. When I move away, go to foreign countries, etc., I never have a problem. I always end up making friends. But when I am at home, and it has always been this way, I just don't know how to meet people. Maybe there's something about being out of my comfort zone, I'm not sure, but hopefully I'll be able to get involved in some things around here and make some new friends. It's sad that my mother is even calling me a recluse for not having people to go out with on a Friday night. ouch.

Oh! And the other project that I am working on....
A garden! I want to build one this year. I think I finally have the motivation, time, and resources to do it. I've been thinking about it, and trying to make plans. I think I want to build a raised bed, and I know where I want to put it in my yard. I am thinking about planting tomatoes, sweet peppers, zucchini, onions, and green beans. We'll see how this goes. haha.

But anyway, I love spring. I'm so glad it is here.