A Little Late by Susan L.

  I had a chance to be outside today. The sun is warm, the snow is melting, I saw a local robin...spring is springing. The red-winged blackbirds, chickadees and the grackles are singing up a storm out there. The turkey vultures have arrived as well although I haven't seen the pair that nests across the road yet. All that's left is the swallows. When they come, winter is definitely over. And about time!
  There are lots of branches in the yard that the melting snow is revealing. The ice storm did a lot of damage. Can't wait to have the first bonfire in the back yard but it's still buried under two feet of snow. Part of having the wonderful shade in the heat of the summer means the snow lays around a little longer. There's a couple of small cedars that have gone missing. I hope they didn't break off but are just bent over. Time will tell.
  I remember how much fun it was as a kid this time of year. Being outside and playing in the puddles and rivers that ran down the street. I remember how good it felt to take off hats and mitts and heavy winter coats. How wonderful it was changing into rubber boots that weighed a fraction of heavy winter ones that by spring developed a rather offensive odour.
  Our farm was in a valley so the field behind the house was a river for a few days. My son used to love going out and splashing around. Guaranteed the inside of his boots would be soaking, a sure sign he'd enjoyed himself. At one point we had a lake in the front yard. He would sit on the picnic table with a stick in hand and fish. Didn't land anything though except a whole lot of fun.
  It does the heart good: sunshine, warmth and being outdoors. I've missed it.
  "His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed." Ps 72:17