Spring holiday

Today is Patriots Day, a celebration of the first battles of the American Revolution. Patriots Day is celebrated in two states - Massachusetts and Maine. Maine was a part of Massachusetts until 1820. You wouldn't know it. Maine struggles with serious issues while Massachusetts drifts into senseless crime.

Today is the 109th running of the Boston Marathon. Sandra will go into the city to watch a couple of co-workers. The weather looks to be fine for the spectators. It will not be as hot as it was last year, but it's still going to be too warm for the runners.

We met Adam, Jennie, and Lily for breakfast in Northampton yesterday morning, an early celebration of Adam's birthday. It was a fine morning, so we walked over to their church and heard Jennie sing in the choir. Exquisite.

On the way from Northampton to my father's house, we stopped at a rest area that overlooks the Quabbin Reservoir. The trees continue to grow and now nearly block the view of the water. In a few years, we won't be able to see it at all.

Along Route 2, where the ledge was blasted away to make a path for the highway, water seeps from the rocks. The water freezes in the winter. There are still large chunks of ice in the shady places.

If this guy wants to use your computer, tell him that you need to use it.

Job title inflation reaches a new level. This morning's automated job search brought a list for a Director of First Impressions. In this job, "you must take pride in answering phones with a smile in your voice...." Other skills include front-office support, Microsoft Office experience, and "multi-tasking yet never missing a deadline...."

"Why in the world would you think your (cell) phone would work in your house?" ponders Ivan Seidenberg, the CEO of Verizon Communications.