Why wait for spring – do it now

A few days ago my wife and I got to talking about a catchy advertising jingle of fifty years ago that was heard incessantly at this time of year. My wife even remembered all the words and sang them. It was the theme song of a government of Canada campaign to help building trades people … Continue reading Why wait for spring – do it now

Meditations on spring in Saskatchewan

For months our yard looked barren. Spring came, the snow melted, yet the weather remained cool and we waited week after week for signs of a change. The grass was brown; the trees were dry sticks. Very hesitantly, signs of new life began to appear. Last week warm weather arrived in full force, temperatures as … Continue reading Meditations on spring in Saskatchewan

Spring fever

In books, spring always seems to come in a rush. Homesteaders on the prairies, or trappers in the northern bush, endure a long harsh winter, their food  and their firewood have almost run out and the snow is so deep they can't get out to replenish their supplies.. Then one day they notice something different … Continue reading Spring fever

Seasons

Seventeen years ago we travelled south at Easter time. The destination was Arkansas where our daughter was teaching school and Deborah, one of our daughters friends, was with us. As we drove south through Arkansas, we noticed numerous mounds of dirt in the fields. After reaching our destination, we asked about those mounds. “Oh, they’re … Continue reading Seasons

US disasters vs Canadian winters

Seventeen years ago at Easter time we drove down to Arkansas where our daughter was teaching. Deborah, a friend of our daughter, travelled with us.  There in the deep south we saw mounds of dirt here and there in the fields. We asked one of the local ladies what they were and she told us … Continue reading US disasters vs Canadian winters

Could we please just have spring already?

For at least the past three weeks the weather forecasters have been telling us that sunny, springlike weather is just five days away.  I am still clinging to the belief that one of these days it will actually happen.  Our winter accumulation of snow is slowly going down, even on cloudy days when the temperature … Continue reading Could we please just have spring already?

What cats are good for

Here on the flatlands the days are getting longer, the temperatures milder, and our three cats are showing signs of spring fever.  Even bulky old Panda.  None of our cats are purebreds, but a predominant breed is evident in each by their size, shape, coat and temperament.  Panda is an all black Maine Coon cat.  … Continue reading What cats are good for