Spring is Tardy

The calendar indicates that this is the first day of spring. The vernal equinox is upon us. However, the signs of spring are fewer in number than might be considered normal for this time of year. It's my considered opinion that the calendar needs an adjustment. It seems to me that in recent years, it has been warmer into fall and early winter, not really getting cold until January and February and then the cold trails off slowly right into April.

I have seen appropriate numbers of Robins returning and Sunday I saw red winged blackbirds searching the ditches for suitable nesting areas, but no bluebirds yet and strangely, no turkey vultures. Given the amount of carrion along the roadsides, it would be nice to have them here for clean up. Even so, there is much birdsong in the morning hours and this gives me hope for warmer days ahead. On Monday I was at Saylorville Reservoir and there were pelicans and cormorants in large numbers. Considering the temps, I'm surprised they did not head back south, but I guess it's the angle of the earth in space that drives them north along with the position of the sun in the sky.

We need some heat people. Right now, it's only 36 degrees. There will be damage to the perennials if this cold continues. Still, creation is trying. Some snowdrops have made through and the magnolia trees have some fat buds. Spring might yet happen.

Lord, please bring some heat to these old tired bones and bring life from death as is your normal pattern of behavior. We love You for this among many other things. Please stretch out your mighty hand and let spring flow from it. Invigorate your bass and walleye. Let the bluegill and crappie again flourish under the heat of the star you created for that purpose. It's time to stir things to life again.

I love your spring. Where is it? I want to lie down in green pastures and go fishing beside still morning waters. I wait for you to restore my soul, to walk with me with Your goodness and mercy not far behind. Please bring it.

Amen

The Serpent

Ya, it's been awhile, but I had a dream last night and it has been bothering me all day. Normally my dreams are vague recollections by the time I rise in the morning, but this one was different for two reasons. First, my deceased parents were in it and second, the dream was in two parts. I woke and went to the bathroom after part one and the dream continued when I went back to sleep. Odd no?

So here is what I remember of the dream. I was living in a place that was not where I am living now. It was more like my old apartment in Cedar Rapids. My parents were there standing in the entrance to the galley kitchen. I was standing by the door to the apartment entrance. My mother was having hysterics because there was a very large snake crawling around on the living room carpet. It would zip across the floor seeking cover under chairs and the couch and move back and forth in the hallway between the living room and the bed room. The creature looked very much like an albino boa constrictor, but I seemed to know in my mind that it was also venomous and therefore dangerous.

My father was smiling as if curious what I would do. He always did like to see me squirm in tense situations. He was hateful that way. My mom was screaming about how I had to move and we had to get out of there and really, the place was just too dangerous.

Then I woke up. I had to pee...it's an old age thing.

I thought about the dream after I crawled back into bed wondering what it had all meant as I went back to sleep and there I was again. I was back in my old apartment, but this time my parents were gone and I was alone with this snake, this huge venomous snake. Most would have left the apartment immediately and called the exterminator, but this was a dream and my rationality had been left on the pillow.

Instead, I began to devise a plan to capture and kill this serpent. I was jumping from chair to chair to couch as I thought about it. I kept trying to sneak up on it, but as I would get close, it would turn and open it's mouth bearing its fangs. I came close to getting bit twice and then...I woke up.

That snake better not be there again tonight. Just sayin....