A Kaleidoscope Spring

Hello, all! I just love beginning this column with a discussion of the weather. Hasn't this been the craziest weather you can remember, all winter and now? Warm front, cold front, warm front, cold front, sunny, cloudy, stormy, rain, wind, hail and snow flurries and now another freeze. That was just around here in just the last week. It is not counting the floods, blizzards, tornados, earthquakes and erupting volcanoes outside of Northeast Arkansas. I just can't shake the feeling that the earth is really trying to get our attention. What do you think?

But spring is officially here. It's April. It is almost Easter. There may not be as many branches to sprout this year, but what is left are putting out buds like crazy. I just love the redbuds and dogwoods this time of year. There is so much color everywhere. Yards are greening up and flowers are blooming everywhere. I know the farmers will be glad to start planting soon. But not today yet.

Paul and Cheryl Schwager have been to North Canton, Ohio to attend a birthday party for Paul's sister-in-law Belle. It turned out to be a full blown family reunion. They were able to visit with Paul's brother Louie and his sister Anna Mary. Belle, of course, was truly the belle of the ball as everyone came to celebrate her birthday with her. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews from California to Pennsylvania (and Arkansas, of course) came to celebrate with her as well as friends and family from nearby.

Cheryl says the drive to and from Ohio was good and uneventful. They saw broken freeze damaged trees almost the entire way. We will be seeing scars from our big freeze for a long time to come.

Lane Wozniak also missed the kaleidoscope of weather here this last week, because she was cruising the Bahamas. Poor her. She says it never was particularly warm even though the sun was abundant. Wearing a sweatshirt most of the time means the only sunburn she got was on her nose. Lane and a group of her friends get away every year about this time and enjoy a cruise together. What a lot of fun for all.

She was able to spend some time visiting with her sister, Armaline and her husband on her way to and from the cruise ship which left out of Miami. She also spent a night with her niece, Kim who also lives in Florida. All in all it was a good trip and Lane is refreshed and ready for work.

I am so sorry to hear that Cyndi Corkran is moving back to Eureka Springs. She has been such an asset to our community. I will miss her. I wish her well and I hope she returns here often to visit. We will all be enjoying the fruits of her labors here for a long time to come. Thank you, Cindy and best wishes to you.

Finally, Pauline Shields is back in town. She broke a hip a few weeks ago and has been a guest of Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould for far too long. We need to plan a party soon to get her back on the dance floor. But for now we can continue to pamper her and encourage her. Stay strong, Pauline. No high kicks for a while longer.

Did you see the movie, " The River Within"? I hear the lines were incredibly long. I hope that means it will be held over, because I haven't seen it yet and I want to. If you did see it, let me know how you liked it. It is so exciting to have one of our own on the big screen. Again!

It has been wonderful to see how well received our new first couple has been on their travels outside the country. Not only the dignitaries of each country, but the people, the common people, the people like you and me, have received them with respect and affection. It is a great reflection on our wonderful country.

Well, I suppose it is time for me to end this. Thank you to everyone who emails, calls or sends me mail for the column. I love hearing from all of you. That is always nice. So drop me a line or email me. You can also give me a call. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.