What a glorious couple of days we have had! My snowdrops are blooming, I have one blooming crocus, and my daffodils are starting to show off their green spikes. Yes, there is mud, mud, and more mud, but that means the snow has melted and there is actually grass and ground showing. Don't burst my bubble and say that there will be snow showers this weekend. I am going to enjoy our 60 degree temps now.
Thursday night was supposed to be the annual WAJ Drama Club Dinner Theater/ dress rehearsal for the Mountain Top Senior Citizens, but the weather forecast was not conducive to 100 Senior Citizens driving after dark, so they graciously rescheduled to Monday night. Many thanks to Brandywine, Catskill Mountain Country Store, Chicken Run, Main Street Deli and Market, Lilly's Steaks & Cocktails, Millrock Restaurant, Prominence, Tap House and Windham Mountain Club for providing such a bountiful buffet. The food was delicious, and most of us didn't even have enough room to sample everything. I just found out that there were additional trays of food that were still in the kitchen which means that the performers also got to have a grand feast. The performance was wonderful. I enjoy watching the kids grow through the years. Each play adds more to their confidence, which is one of the most important traits in life. Public speaking is difficult to master, but important as we age. Kudos to the mentors who worked with the actors. It is hard work, but well worth it.
Don't forget the Windham Hensonville UMC annual Corned Beef luncheon Friday the 13th.
The monthly dinner church of the Mountain Top UMC 5 parishes will be held on March 20th in Ashland at 6pm. We are starting the 5th Sunday combined services again, but since the 5th Sunday is Palm Sunday, it will be held at Ashland on March 22 at 10AM with covered dish Fellowship to follow.
March 29th is Palm Sunday with Holy Week services starting with Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday on April 2, Good Friday and then Easter.
The Ski slopes are winding down their very successful season with the warm weather and rain melting the snow pack. Hunter Mountain is having a special dinner honoring its longtime employees. My Neil is being honored with 35 years of service.
Prayers and get well wishes to Patti Morrow who is in rehab and Tom Drum.
AS I REMEMBER IT
Along with the sprouting of my spring flowers, I think of the smells of Spring. From the time I first remember, the first smell which is very nostalgic to me, is the smell of cow manure in the fields. Many people think it to be offensive and wonder why they have to put up with it, but to me it is a harbinger of warm days to come, If they do it right, the farmers can get the fertilizer on the fields just before a Spring snow which quickly melts into the ground bringing the necessary nutrients directly to the roots of the plants. Once the snow has composted the manure, it can be tilled into the soil making for rich hayfields, corn crops and fodder for the animals. Being able to smell it means the air is warmer allowing the smell to drift rather than freeze in place. My sister and I used to take a deep breath and say, "Spring is here, smell the cows"
The air outside smells different, fresher. When hanging the wash, one can smell the cool air on the clothes. The freshness of the laundry. Before dryers, we used to hang our wash over the living room register, the vent that was over the wood or coal burning furnace in the cellar. The clothes always seemed to have a slightly musty smell even though they were dry. Once hung on the line outdoors, you could smell the breeze when you brought them in.
The sounds of a rushing creek are like a lullabye when trying to sleep. The ice cold water rushed over the rocks and through the tunnel. I see the buds on the trees swelling daily, only to be sedated by another cold spell. From my depression of last week, I have found an uplifting in my spirits and I want to go out and talk to people. I want to walk and see, hear and smell the awakening of a new season.