Once again it’s time to whine – I mean talk – about the weather. The bitter cold temps and all that wind just don’t seem to want to go away. My pussy willows are fluffed out, the daffodils are pushing up out of the ground – as are the tulips – and I see big buds on the lilac bushes. However, last Sunday morning at 7 am it was a mere 12 degrees! Oh – how I pray it didn’t hurt things – especially the lilacs. I noticed on a ride back from Canton via the Minnequa Road that there’s a window full of potted geraniums in full bloom – obviously wintered over from late last summer. How soon they’ll be able to make it back outdoors is certainly a mystery.
Last Friday we made a trip to Williamsport for a doctor’s appointment Ron had at Susquehanna Health. As usual the day started out very chilly but the sun did come out making for a rather enjoyable trip down Rt 14 allowing us to see how clean and swift the creeks and streams are. We saw a fat woodchuck standing in a field of dry, brown grass – looking for something “springy” probably. When we got to the waiting room, there on a table stood a beautiful, large, bronze statue – over a foot tall – of Jesus washing a Disciple’s feet .According to the book of John, this took place before the Passover Meal. And here we are in Holy Week. Coincidence? Hardly. (Even if we were at his “foot” doctor ) Afterwards we made a stop at one of our favorite stores if we’re in Williamsport: Surplus City. Ron picked up several “things” for the garage, and I got netting and elastic for the Sewing Circle girls at church as they’ve already been working hard on the crafts that we’ll be selling at the annual fall bazaar in October.
I was finally able to see that the robins are back and now I see them everywhere. No doubt looking for food! Our bird feeder gets swamped just as soon as it’s filled, lasting only a couple of days. I can’t believe the ground is thawed and warm enough for earthworms for the robins so perhaps they’ve changed their diets to be seeds.
Last Wednesday was my day off from work so most of it was spent running errands. I mailed a package to my brother Jeff for Easter, visited the Canton Clothing Center and bought Easter baskets for the Alba egg hunt this next weekend, dropped off a gift to the local food pantry, made a trip to the meat plant, paid a visit to church family friends in Canton, and picked up Ron’s latest contraption to help his disconnected collarbone, which is called a “figure 8 sling”. He says it does help a bit relieving the weight and pressure across the shoulders.
It is now Holy Week. It was Palm Sunday last Sunday and it was nice to receive a palm frond at church. There will be a Good Friday service at 7 PM, Easter egg hunt Saturday at 10 AM for church family and Alba community children. Sunrise Service on Easter morning is at 7 AM followed by a breakfast, then worship at 10 when the choir will present a cantata. All are welcome to attend. Check your local newspaper for Maundy Thursday services being held at churches in the area.
As long as we’re talking about religion, kinda, I’d like to make a comment about an issue that’s been in the news recently. It’s regarding businesses being able to make decisions on sales of their own wares and services based on their religious beliefs. Can you believe the government has the audacity to step in and tell them they have to “serve” individuals and/or groups that represent NON-CHRISTIAN beliefs? And yes, as I write this I am shaking my head ruefully – as I so often do anymore. PLEASE – PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND ITS PEOPLE!
April is National Recycling Month – there’s a lot you can do to re-use and recycle. It saves money on garbage stickers, too! On April 3, 1860, the Pony Express began mail delivery. Sometimes I think it’s still in operation!!! April 4th is “National Reading a Road Map Day”. Ron will be waiting with bated breath to watch me celebrate on that day… He could use a good laugh. On April 6, 1909, the first credit union in the United States opened in Manchester, New Hampshire. April 6, 1939, marks the anniversary of the invention of Teflon. (My 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Wilkins, when she was well into her 80’s, said she suffered from “Teflon brain” – nothing sticks to it. Cute, huh?) On April 9, 1872, dried milk was patented by New Yorker Samuel R. Percy.
Quote by Dan Bennett: “One of the healthiest ways to gamble is with a spade and a package of garden seeds.”
Author Unknown: Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold – but so does a hard-boiled egg.