Here in Wisconsin we're in that very unpredictable time between winter and spring. But finally, this past weekend we had a big dose of warmth and sun. And everyone was outside. Even though it wasn't much above 50 it felt almost hot. I believe our internal temperature tolerance gradually goes down as the winter progresses and when a day in the 50s and 60s comes along it's time for shorts and sandals. The windows go up, bikes come out, the gardeners are in a premature frenzy, the kids are yelling and playing in the yards. And neighbors actually stop and talk to each other. Everyone is coming out of their caves. Everyone is optimistic and making plans.
Of course this can all come crashing down with a spring snow or ice storm. But you just have to take them in stride and live in the spirit that the days are getting longer and the warm days are more frequent than not. It's inevitable. Spring is truly coming. Ahhhh. There's just nothing like it. Especially for those of us who have a severe winter. I think we actually enjoy spring more because of what we have dealt with.
Now once you get out there and wander around you realize that this is not an attractive time of the year. Not yet. Isolated snow piles dot the landscape like small beached whales. They just don't belong anymore. When will they melt for God's sake! And underneath that snow is revealed a kind of time capsule of "stuff" that last appeared on the day of the fist snow storm—a flattened pair of gardening gloves, the hose you never got around to storing for the winter, an odd toy or bike that the kids just never got around to picking up, and flattened dead flora and fauna. All compressed as if having been under a stack of heavy books. There's a kind a scum on everything. It is not pretty. This you must ignore or there is danger you will succumb to melancholy. It's best to wander about with your head held high facing the sun, sucking in that vitamin D. It will all change soon enough. One must be patient. (But of course we are not patient. We can't wait.)
And what's coming for my birthday you ask?
"a must see"
"the laughs unspool like wavy stands of thick, dark hair traveling through the infamousBlogojevich hairbrush"
"just the anti-Blogo catharsis you need"
What can it be? Why it's "Rod Blogojevich Superstar." Second City's ripped-from-the-headlines, rushed-to-the-stage parody on guess who. I'll be heading down to Chi-town with friends for a rip roaring hilarious experience. What a great way to get out of a winter rut and ignore the aging process but to laugh out loud and enjoy good friends. I can't wait.
And on the more well lit side of my life, I'm making lots of lamps for the American Craft Council show in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 17-19. I don't look forward to the grueling set-up and take down but it's always nice to experience a new show, meet new artists, and hopefully sell a few lamps. Not to mention spend some time with friends whom I don't see often enough. If you're in the area please stop in and say hello. And open up those pocketbooks. You've got to reward yourself for surviving the winter at the very least.
Hang in there. Spring is on it's way and happier times are ahead. Trust me. m
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