Breland: April brings great times and adventures
Published 10:39 am Friday, April 1, 2022
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
If you are interested in finding some neat things to do during the month of April, get on the Internet and look up “special days in April.” Other than the usual April Fool’s Day — which has passed — Good Friday and Easter Sunday, you might find some other pretty interesting events to be celebrated.
For instance, Monday is “National Hug a Newsperson Day” — imagine that! Tuesday is “National Walking Day” and April 7 is “No Housework Day”! These are just a few among the many, many events listed, some good and others just humorous. Look if you must and prepare to laugh. There are some doozies!
If you have a birthday in April and follow the horoscope, there are two zodiac signs: Aries, those born between March 21-April 19; and Taurus, born between April 20-May 20. If you believe all that — Aries personalities are known for a competitive, energetic spirit and Taurus people can be stubborn but reliable, responsible and practical.
While all the monthly events may be interesting, aren’t most of us really happy to see the season changing and some warmer weather? The best part of April to me is the certainty of spring, even if we are experiencing some spring storms. When the hot and cold fronts meet, there’s bound to be some severe weather — all in the changing of this season.
I was changing the sheets on the beds this past week and was tempted to take off the blankets. I hesitated because of the usual Easter cold snap we have experienced in the past. Get a new spring outfit to wear to church on Easter Sunday and have to bring out sweaters for everybody in the family to wear. It usually happens!
Same thing with putting pot plants back on the patio. Mine look pretty straggly right now, but they are safe from the cold, even though the March wind has ripped tears in the little hothouse. Better wait just a little and make sure we have no more freezing weather. Southern temperatures can be a downright puzzle.
I used to watch an old hickory tree across the highway from me each year. The oak trees would have full leaves and that hickory tree would just sit there bare until it was sure the cold was gone before those pretty new leaves would come forth.
When I saw that hickory tree putting on leaves, I knew spring was definitely here. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago the hickory tree died. Now I have to look for them in other places … or look for pecan trees, which do the same.
It is also yard-mowing time again. Nothing keeps the grass from springing forth even with little evidence of warmth. My front yard was covered with the little white flowers we call wild onions, and I hated to see them clipped by the mow. A few days later, the yard was covered with the flowers again. They regrew so quickly!
Gardeners and farmers are also watching the changing climate. Some are already putting out little tomato plants and others, watching them carefully. Good luck with farming as we all can benefit. I have heard we could have a food shortage coming and we should prepare. Maybe canning will become popular again.
Things have really changed over the past few years … many we thought would never change. Who do we listen to as we reflect on all these changes? I’m thinking of going back and reading the old Foxfire books to see how life was for our ancestors without all the great inventions we enjoy.
Thanks to all of you who read the column last week and the stories about the art show and sale. Many of you came to this wonderful event. A lot of people were so glad to get out after having to stay in so long during the pandemic.
I keep praying things will eventually get back to normal, but normal may never be our old normal again. This saddens me, but also makes me look ahead for better things to come, regardless of the changes.
So enjoy this this beautiful month of April and be thankful for the blessings God has provided. He brings us Joy!
Retired as Associate News Editor, Bob Ann Breland writes a weekly column for The Daily News. You can email her at bobann70@att.net.