Farewell March and Welcome April

This week I expect to see the dogwood flower and cherry trees blossom. These will be followed by redbud, spirea and violets. And all the while green is slowly showing on the trees and on the ground, changing the morning and evening light to a softer greenish glow.

And, of course, it is work, work, work for the farmers. They are all eager to get out in the fields and begin their planting. I think I will begin now to give thanks for a bountiful fall harvest. If we believe it, it will be.

In case you didn't realize it, Jessie Malin and Lane Wozniak have been missing for a week. Well, not exactly missing, just not here. They have been cruising the Caribbean. Lane has a group of friends she takes a cruise with every spring and this year Jessie went along with her. It was Jessie's first cruise. They visited such exotic places as Belize and Costa Rico. They swam with the dolphins and Lane rode a zip line across a canyon. She described this as breath-taking and exhilarating. I couldn't even listen to it without hyper-ventilating.

They were a little disappointed that their scheduled tour to see the Mayan ruins was cancelled when the President of Mexico came to town, but both agreed the trip was fun and the food was good, of course.

Cathy Louder went to Fayetteville for the weekend to spend some time with her good friend Karen (Horten) Weeks. Good, good girlfriend time. They did some shopping and watched movies and enjoyed each other's company.

And who sneaks into town while Cathy and Jessie are both gone? Steve Malin of course. There were several sightings of him all over town and out in the countryside. He did hang out long enough to visit with his mom and sister before returning to St. Louis, MO on Monday.

Carol Stone had visitors Friday. Her brother-in-law Bill Stone and his friend Dolores swung through town on their way home to Georgia from Hot Springs. Well, it was almost on the way. It was a good opportunity to gather the family, Mary and Lendell Small and Hope and Jerry Ermert and share lunch. It was also an opportunity for Carol to show off her new cast. Yes she had surgery on her Achilles tendon and is sporting a toe pointing cast. She is also finding out she can really get around a lot better than she thought she could on one leg. Just 4 more weeks to go. More or less.

The First Baptist Church Youth had a great time at their lock in last week. Did I hear that there were alligators and giant lizards there? A turtle, you say and a chicken too?

Don't forget the Oldies Show Friday and Saturday night at the Collins Theater in Paragould. It will be a blast from the past. See you there.

Laura Lynn, congratulations on your new wheels.

Guess it's time to wrap this up. Easter is Sunday, a time to reflect on our many blessings and the sacrifices made for us all. Let me know what goes on with you and yours. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

God bless our soldiers.