Now that it is spring, I have started opening up the screened porch for the cats. It’s warm enough for me to sit out there as well. It’s generally quiet after a certain time. But lately, it’s been chaotic. The sounds of the neighborhood are distracting me. I am sure those sounds existed before, but I never seemed to mind. But now, they are distracting. Yesterday, the neighbor’s Chihuahua stood outside and barked for 4 straight hours. I love dogs. I do. But I wanted to pinch that dog’s head last night. Tonight, there was a great deal of traffic noise. The neighbors on one side were outside yelling at their children. The neighbors behind have attained a harmonica. And in the distance, a sad, howling hound dog. Then an ambulance, a fire truck, a hot rod and I believe a whole motorcycle club. Then the frogs started to sing. I don’t mind the frogs. But all the sounds were distracting me and the cats. I can only hope that as summer arrives, it will get better. Maybe the heat will keep the crazies inside. I can handle frogs and birds and the occasional hot rod whizzing by, but the rest of it might make me crazy.