Spring Fever
OK, so I'm not totally an Old Fart yet. The coming of spring is making me a Spring Chicken instead. This is my absolute favorite time of year - and the only good thing about having to put up with winter. I love the feeling of the air at this time of year, and the signs of life returning again. It motivates me to do so many things I've been putting off for the dreadfully long winter months.
For example, my Christmas wreath finally came down this week. Every year a family in my congregation gives me a boy scout wreath for Christmas and it usually ends up hanging just outside my door until almost Easter. True to form, it lasted until the nice warm spring day we had on Monday. I think it may have been the motivation for my neighbor to finally take down his 2 aluminum Christmas trees from his backyard and the lights that were still in his bushes until this week too. (So there are worse procrastinators than me!)
I've also been getting my butt out to walk again. Today I managed to get a 45 minute walk in, during which I visited a little old cemetery just off the freeway near my place. For 7+ years I've been driving by that cemetery wondering what the story is behind those old tombstones in such an unlikely spot. So I finally checked it out. The newest tombstone is from 1949, but most are from the late 1800's and early 1900's. According to a sign at the entrance, there are two Civil War soldiers buried there, as well as two families that helped to found the city of Wauwatosa. The only bad thing about taking these spring walks is seeing all the litter and trash that have been dumped over the years in the few wooded areas along my walks. During winter, the snow covers the trash, and once the green growth takes over those piles somehow become hidden again. I wonder if I could somehow get my church kids to do a clean-up day in this little woods?
The spring weather is inspiring me to get a couple more things done too. This week, I'm going to have to get my legs waxed after the long winter's growth there. Plus my windows are looking dreadfully dirty. That job may have to wait until after Easter, but it's definitely going to be done. Last year I missed that during my spring cleaning because of my sabbatical preparation. I guess two years of dirt really does make it tough to see the sunshine outside.
So Old Fart move over... Spring Chicken is still hidden somewhere inside.
For example, my Christmas wreath finally came down this week. Every year a family in my congregation gives me a boy scout wreath for Christmas and it usually ends up hanging just outside my door until almost Easter. True to form, it lasted until the nice warm spring day we had on Monday. I think it may have been the motivation for my neighbor to finally take down his 2 aluminum Christmas trees from his backyard and the lights that were still in his bushes until this week too. (So there are worse procrastinators than me!)
I've also been getting my butt out to walk again. Today I managed to get a 45 minute walk in, during which I visited a little old cemetery just off the freeway near my place. For 7+ years I've been driving by that cemetery wondering what the story is behind those old tombstones in such an unlikely spot. So I finally checked it out. The newest tombstone is from 1949, but most are from the late 1800's and early 1900's. According to a sign at the entrance, there are two Civil War soldiers buried there, as well as two families that helped to found the city of Wauwatosa. The only bad thing about taking these spring walks is seeing all the litter and trash that have been dumped over the years in the few wooded areas along my walks. During winter, the snow covers the trash, and once the green growth takes over those piles somehow become hidden again. I wonder if I could somehow get my church kids to do a clean-up day in this little woods?
The spring weather is inspiring me to get a couple more things done too. This week, I'm going to have to get my legs waxed after the long winter's growth there. Plus my windows are looking dreadfully dirty. That job may have to wait until after Easter, but it's definitely going to be done. Last year I missed that during my spring cleaning because of my sabbatical preparation. I guess two years of dirt really does make it tough to see the sunshine outside.
So Old Fart move over... Spring Chicken is still hidden somewhere inside.
posted by Kris at 3/24/2007 06:32:00 PM
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