I don’t want to jump up and down for joy too much, because after all it’s only the middle of March, but by all signs spring is hopefully just around the corner. As we slowly come out of our winter cocoons and toss off the cabin fever and couch cramps after six months of that frigid and snowy invasion, we really do deserve a long and early spring and a real hot summer.
As the month of March can also be a miserable and mushy one, we should not put our snow shovels and blowers away just yet, or rush out and change our snow tires or service our lawnmowers. As the ‘big melt’ slowly proceeds, the kids will be in their glory building snow forts or floating their boats down the little rivers of runoff. There will of course be lots of puddles, so let’s dig out our high boots, and remember to stay far back from the street corners, which will soon be the community splash zone.
Hockey playoffs are just around the corner, but the rambunctious summer crowd will already be looking forward to the long awaited appearance of the ball diamonds, soccer pitches, tennis courts, walking and bike baths, and of course, their beloved golf courses. As the sun gets hotter and the days get longer we can finally look forward to nature’s spring fling magic of those little buds popping up everywhere as well as the joyful arrival of a host of birds, all in a frenzy and looking around for mates. The human race also loves the arrival of spring, because it is so much easier to go courting without getting stuck or freezing up, and this time of the year usually means a whole new sassy wardrobe, while tossing off those heavy and unattractive duds that we have had to wear every day to fight off the frost and keep warm.
Our yards and parks will soon transform back to the boring brown we left behind in the fall, but outside chores are so much better than the indoor ones because they are performed in the fresh air, and who really cares if it rains. Over the next few weeks we will likely wash our vehicles many times, and it is now the time to get your favourite old fishing hut off the lake and please make sure that everyone stays off the ice that will soon be melting. It won’t be long before we can all look forward to meeting and greeting each other out and about in nature’s finest shades of green, the district greenhouses will be preparing their magnificent goodies just for you, and how peaceful and tranquil it will be when the kids and the pets can now be sent outside to frolic in the mud and the puddles..
Some great quotes for every lifestyle
● Do not regret growing older....it is a privilege denied to many. Always try to live your life and forget your age.
● Spending time with children is more important than spending money on children.
● Let’s try putting our phones or whatever else clicks and flashes away and pay attention to those talking to us. There’s an App for that and it’s called respect.
● Who-ever said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend never owned a dog. Nature is cheaper than therapy.
● We should learn a lesson from our dogs. No matter what life brings you just kick some grass over it and move on.
● I don’t have time to worry about who doesn’t like me....I’m too busy having fun and loving the people who love me back.
● Computer mania. I keep hitting escape, but I’m still here. Ever stop to think and forget to start again? A hangover is a wrath of grapes.
● I used to have a handle on life, but it broke. You can’t stay young forever but you can be immature for the rest of your life.
● My wild oats have now turned into prunes and All-bran.
More stories and pictures please
In order to keep our Reflections and Remember When features going each week in the Ponoka News, we need your help with community story ideas and photos from past and present, of families, individuals, businesses, organizations, teams, and events that have helped to make our town and district so successful for countless decades. If you have a unique story idea or photos for this feature please give the Ponoka News a call at 403-783-3311 or Mike Rainone at 403-341-5750. Thank you for all your support and co-operation over the past five years, and we look forward to working with you in the future. Swing into spring, and have a great week, all of you.
— Hammertime