Hi, @rosemarya and other eager-for-spring gardeners. Yesterday was a beautiful, still (translate always a gift no-wind day!) here. After a lovely walk in our local wildflower park, I donned gardening duds and mask for some front yard New England aster cutting back-to-ground trimming. Because of weak knees, I've long gardened literally by-the-seat-of-my-pants and neighbors are now accustomed to that.

However, a mask less neighbor 2 houses down walked over to visit. I automatically pulled up my mask and she caught me off guard by asking, "Are you afraid of me?" I said, just wary of the invisible virus and this has become 2nd nature. Her question didn't sound as much accusatory as just truly surprised that I'd covered my face.

Having been caught much earlier in the pandemic without a mask going to the mailbox or a flower bed as neighbors came over, my mask became a "must" whenever I stepped outside. Yesterday I almost left it inside. After all, pre-Super Bowl, a Sunday, rarely see neighbors in the yard during winter, etc.

She'd called last week and knew I was to get my 2nd vacc. She and other neighbors also know I've been in self-quarantine for most of the past yr. So her question troubled me. After the visit at my table, I resumed my perennial trimming but somehow I'd lost the zest for the task. So glad I'd had the mask handy. The experience served as a caution that although spring and warmer, nice days approach, with more neighbors walking over to visit, the need for my mask will continue be very necessary.