SOLSC '25 Day Eighteen: Out of hiding

 

I am participating in The Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life Story Challenge, writing every day during the month of March.  My theme this year is "Outdoors".

I woke up my husband for work. He said he didn't feel well...and now we're a matching set of viral loads.  His doctor recommended lots of sunshine.

Well, you don't have to tell me twice.

I showered and put on real clothes for the first time in days (if sweats count as real clothes; I am on Spring Break,  no need to break out anything that's the slightest bit binding).  I even pulled up my bedsheets and semi-made the bed.

After being reassured by my hair salon that my appointment was canceled without penalty (thank you!), I unlocked the back door and stepped outside. 

The first order of business was filling the bird feeder and setting out food for the squirrels.  I already felt bad about neglecting them for two days.

March is still roaring like a lion around these parts.  As I sat in a patio chair, the wind gusts were blowing the dead leaves out of Mother Oak's hair, making way for her new spring 'do.  A squirrel appeared in her branches, chittering at me. I told her to go on and eat; I wasn't moving from my seat.  She finally believed me and ate a bit from the playscape slide before moving under the feeder. 

Soon the doves came to the tree. They were beaten to the feeder by the starlings, who could care less that I sat but a few feet away.  A bluejay swooped in for his favorite peanuts. 

The magic was broken when a deep cough from my chest couldn't be contained. The birds skittered away in a feathery flap, leaving the squirrel to happily continue munching on seeds, looking up only to watch me return inside, closing the door on the sunshine.