Spring Storms

Good morning, everyone. I guess we are in the middle of spring now. Those pesky little storms are flitting around more and more. We really haven't had a bad time with them yet this year, but this past week end was pretty exciting, and pretty devastating in some places. My prayers are with those who lost so much. I don't much like the windy days, but I don't think I will complain much as long as we aren't being blown over and I can find all my porch furniture.

I mentioned last week that in a period of apparent insanity I decided to assemble a storage shed in my back yard. Me and Paula and Lane. As I predicted, it is not yet complete, but we have walls and a roof and it did not blow away this weekend so we are pretty glad about that. We have also decided that if I every mention attempting anything like this again they will have me committed.

First of all we had to build a wooden foundation. This was primarily Lane's area of expertise as she loves to use power tools and swing a hammer. The slope in my back yard presented a bit of a problem, but we met this challenge with concrete blocks and shims. And rocks and pebbles and grit and a few dirty words.

Then we began assembling the metal shed. It is sort of like an erector set with metal pieces and screws and nuts and bolts and things. And it comes with detailed instructions. Hah! One problem is that there were three of us (and sometimes Jessie Malin) who read these instructions and interpreted them. That sometimes got interesting. We got the walls up without too much trouble, but then came the roof. This required ladders and longer arms than any of us had. Add to that I am acrophobic. Any height more than the third step on a ladder renders me paralyzed when it comes to descending. I have no trouble climbing up, but stepping down is very hard.

As Lane and I teetered on the top of ladders to reach way over and put in a million tiny screws and nuts and bolts, Paula steadied our ladders and raced around to hand us different tools and screws and reread the instructions and find the allen wrench and pick up the screw driver we dropped and hold that nut and pick up the allen wrench and hand us more screws, no bolts, and pick up the screw driver again and. . . Well you get the idea. Three crazy old ladies with ladders and power tools must have been quite a sight indeed.

We got the roof on before the rain started on Friday and we have taken a couple of days off for good behavior. As I said the wind has not blown it over yet. I am happy to know that many of my friends and neighbors have taken some measure of pleasure from the sight of us tottering above the trees and wielding our tools.

Ms. Pauline Crockett is going to be 100 years old Thursday. Happy Birthday Ms. Crockett. You are a true treasure.

I have been informed that Candy Hill's flamingos have returned for the summer. As often happens, when a flock disappears for the winter, it returned with a few new members. It is good to look out my kitchen window and see the flamingos by Candy's house.

Another windy day and another heavy pot appears on 3rd Street. This time it is a ceramic flower pot on my porch. This mystery, however is solved. Candy gave me this one as it matched another I have. Thanks, Candy.

The Prom was Friday. I assume all the participants and chaperones are recovering nicely. I hear everyone had a good time. This is a memory you prom goers will carry with you for the rest of your lives. Memories of my own prom are still vivid and that was a long long time ago.

The Academy Choice Awards banquet is Friday. I hope to see you there. I look forward to this event every year.

On a sadder note, I learned that Betty Fielder passed away last week. My thoughts are with her family.

I suppose it is time to go. Keep your eyes on the weather. We want to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your letters, phone calls and emails. I always love to hear from you. And I love to share your stories, so stay in touch. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net. I really love to hear from you all.

God bless our soldiers.