107 years ago...

My grandma was born 107 years ago today, amidst a spring snow storm that stranded a laboring great-grandma at home alone whilst great-grandpa went to fetch the midwife. Grandma was born before great-grandpa returned with the midwife. Actually, great-grandma was not alone. She had a 2 year-old and a 3 year-old with her.   


I remember both of those grandmas as incredibly strong women, hard workers who could stand their ground, argue their cause, and make the best food around. All while managing a house full of children, relatives, guests, and on top of running a farm.  My mentors...

Same answer

Apparently the formula has changed, same answer though:

howling, window rattling wind + rain = Spring time

Signs

Chirping birds + a roaring lake = Spring time

What a difference a day makes - we're looking at grass where last week we were looking at 2 ft. of snow! I'm ready for it, are you?

50 degree party

It reached 50 degrees today.

Wonder if the home town university students held a 50 degree party. Met a friend at the local coffee shop today and he asked if I was throwing such a party. Haha. Said friend knows about such parties as he is a former attendee at a few.

Actually, such a party was not "held", it happened. The first spring day the tempurature hit 50, the university vacated - students as well as some faculty - and headed to a local park where we celebrated the arrival of spring. Some years in a drizzle, some years while standing on soggy grass and some years while standing atop snow banks.

There were snow banks the year I decided to do what my mother warned me against - jumping off the bridge because someone else did. All I can say is water is darned cold when ice chunks are floating in it - but what the heck, I was young and looking for an adventure. And I got one - mighty cold walk home with all those wet clothes on - didn't think that through very well.

I'd like to think I'm smarter these days.