I’m going to say something that every old person on the planet says on a regular basis: “They don’t make things like they used to!”

To wit, Monday’s rain revealed a problem I have noticed for several years. The windshield wipers break at the exact spot on the drivers side that is right at eye level. The passengers side is perfectly fine. I am not exaggerating to report this happened multiple times (I do have several trucks and a car). I’ve had three refrigerators since my 35-year-old Kenmore finally gave up. I think this is called “planned obsolescence.”

At any rate, we made it through another winter and signs of spring are everywhere. Each day, I notice more new life in the gardens. One thing I like about myself is the ability to recognize plants in their infancy. It’s a handy skill to avoid pulling up a favorite. What am I talking about? As if I’m weeding already.

Two weeks ago, I cut an errant branch from a yellow magnolia. I put it into a vase in my very cool kitchen. It bloomed over the weekend and brightens up the room.

I noticed on the bank at Shirley Kennedy’s little cottage on the corner of State Road and Causeway that there are two pretty impressive heathers in full and glorious bloom. There used to be some at David Finkelstein’s office in the neighborhood, which are no more.

I put my flats of onion seedlings outside, but not yet in the ground. I gave them a little wind protection. I needed the room in the greenhouse. I’m not worried about the cold, since they have frozen several times in the unheated plastic room.

I started several plug trays of peas — why I bother is a mystery. When planted directly into the ground, crows pull up the newly sprouted. Then, I get them started inside and do not transplant into the open ground until they are at least two inches tall, where they fall prey to bunnies. My garden fence serves to keep a family inside the garden living under the shed. I do seed all three types of peas — snow, sugar snaps and old-fashioned shelling ones. We try to eat as many as humanly possible before popping several containers into the freezer. I have found that no matter when they are planted, the Fourth of July seems to be when they can be harvested.

I watched a Zoom meeting with a Dr. Erin Masur, a livestock veterinarian. She gave a lot of information about bird flu. Here are some of the takeaways:

• All wild birds can carry the virus.

• Well-cooked eggs are safe to eat.

• Waterfowl, like ducks and geese, are particularly vulnerable.

• Cats are more susceptible than dogs, especially those hanging around dairy farms.

• Rats play a role in transmission.

• Wild turkeys are a threat.

• Humans can spread the virus on footwear so it would be handy to carry disinfectant to spray on shoes after walks where waterfowl roam or on farms with chickens.

So far only 70 people nation-wide have been affected and only one death. It seems to be mostly occupational risk i.e. poultry and dairy workers. There is a 98 per cent mortality rate in flocks of chickens and contrary to RFK Jr.’s theory that survivor’s are hence immune, they can offer a possibility of genetic mutation and spread to humans. Unexplained deaths in chicken flocks should be reported to local boards of health.

With all that said, it pays to be as careful and informed as possible. It is becoming increasingly clear and alarming that under the present leadership, we can no longer count on our federal government to keep us safe.

The recent debacle with the “intelligence” community inadvertently sending war plans to the Atlantic journalist is beyond the pale. Fortunately, Jeffrey Goldberg has enough integrity and love of country to not publish the information. When confronted by senators, those at fault did the usual Trumpian response, they gave non-answers to direct questions. Then in press meetings, they blamed the journalists. Trump gave his now familiar retort: “I don’t know anything about that.”

Didn’t we suffer through years of outrage about Hilary Clinton’s emails?