FINE SPRING BREAK — The Weekly Opine

My Torino is no longer riding dirty thanks to a recent trip through the car wash. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Mostly calm and collected

I am, at least for the moment, refreshed and sprightly after a generally mellow, productive time away from blogging.

Among other things, I caught up on some reading, watched March Madness, feasted on really good food (inspired by Stanley Tucci), basked in warmer weather while strolling around The Morton Arboretum, volunteered helping the local garden group plant seeds, cruised around in my Torino, and got vaccinated. Also, my significant significant other and I planned a couple summer trips.

Largely good stuff, with one exception. My neighborhood is being dug up to make way for installation of fiber optic cable. Something went wrong and I was without internet service for nearly two weeks! It was a two-ring circus administered by the local utility company and a sub-contractor. Apparently, the junior varsity was sent in to do a job that required the A-team. Let me just say being off the grid never felt so bad.

Nonetheless, it was nice to chill the past couple of weeks. The annual Midwest springtime rebirth is now in full swing, as evidenced by my blooming and fragrant magnolia tree.

Today, I harken back to my schoolboy days when teachers permitted students to do a show-and-tell about their vacation. Drumroll…

March Madness, The Big Dance, the NCAA Tournament was - by any name - scintillating. The women’s tournament was more exciting than the men’s bracket. (Photo credit People Magazine)

Unexpected sights abound when you step off hiking trails at The Morton Arboretum. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The combination of this tree’s trunk and lowest branches form solid right angles. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Now here’s a canopy. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Seeds planted and positioned in a greenhouse. Come May, flowers and vegetables will begin to proliferate. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Alfresco dining is back! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Eating great in my neighborhood. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Eating great at home. My vegetable medley fits nicely on top of tender rice. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The suburban vaccination site I went to was well-organized and highly efficient. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

A clean machine ready to roll. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

OK, fellas, now put it back the way you found it. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

After almost two weeks without the internet, green lights never looked so good! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The lovely magnolia tree in my backyard is blooming. It smells good, too. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)