Good to be here. Good to be anywhere.

Now, suddenly, it’s almost summer. This morning I woke up to the song of birds in the backyard and the buzzing of carpenter bees dive-bombing the wooden decks and railings. Walking my dog around the block yesterday morning, I actually did stop to smell the flowers.

I spent a fair amount of time this winter in Florida, recovering from surgery and radiation for breast cancer. After my treatment, I couldn’t wait to get out of Dodge, and I came back reluctantly, because “here” meant doctors and appointments and real life. But I arrived home eventually and settled into life here, where I’ve lived for 55 years. As I went about my business, I was slowly drawn back to the place I love.

Walking around the block, I passed the UPS truck and the driver waved. I know him. I know everyone. The guy in the fish store asked how I was doing. I pushed my grocery cart down the aisles and met the neighbors I hadn’t seen in some weeks. I saw the butcher, the baker, the dog groomer, the veterinarian, the restaurateur, the “girls” at the bridge club and my dear “bookies,” the women who come to my discussion groups.

Then a funny thing happened on the way to settling back in.

I never heard from Joe, the sprinkler guy I’ve known for maybe 30 years. It seems he called here one day in early April when my husband was home and I was in Florida. Joe reads my column, apparently including the one in which I wrote about breast cancer. When he called in April, he wanted to make an appointment to turn on the sprinkler system. My husband was overwhelmed with all the household stuff, and he said to Joe, “Please understand, I’m alone in the house now.” Joe jumped to the natural and sad conclusion.

This week, in all innocence and ignorance, I called Joe’s business phone and left a message asking him to stop by and turn on the sprinkler system. To say he was surprised to hear my voice is an understatement.

An hour later, my doorbell rang. “I didn’t know what to think,” he said. “Your husband said he was all alone in the house. I’m really, really glad to see you.” And of course, I was very glad to be seen.