very early spring

It's like we never had winter this season. Although Taiyo and I were still admiring the toughness of sparrows sleeping parched on the bare trees in cold night early this week, we truly dived into spring, it seems. I've lost four pairs of gloves, including one I treasured for five years, but maybe I don't need to find replacement in a hurry. Trees are almost ready to bloom in the neighborhood. It was the first day we kept the door wide open for fresh warm air today, but Taiyo was still just content to be in the restaurant and hang around with his favorite customers.

Yesterday when we walked out for lunch, I tried to talk him into ramen but Taiyo's mind was set for pasta. We ended up at Virage on Second Avenue and 7th Street. The place was pretty empty and the waitress was very friendly, letting us choose a table. We settled on the comfy bench near the window facing the side street. There was a few steps up from the street, but inside was roomy for easy stroller parking. Because he kept insisting on pasta, we settled for Linguine Aglio Olio lunch special. When a small bowl of cream of broccoli arrived, Taiyo knew he would like some. He had most of it. Then pasta arrived, and he was totally excited. He had at least half of it, carefully twisting his fork to wrap pasta around it. The owner didn't seem too impressed when Taiyo began to walk back and forth along the cushy bench, but nobody tried to discourage him. Food was pretty good, and made him sit down if I asked him to eat. Music was not so good in my opinion, playing some top 40 type of station, but Taiyo still enjoyed playing his imaginary guitar walking along the bench. $10 for the lunch special was easy on the wallet, too. Quite lovely lunch experience. Recommended.