April catch-up

From this photo you can tell the ice went out on the river as I last recorded March 23rd, 2019.  I missed the brake-up but got down there in the afternoon and it was roaring past.  Very impressive.  As I edged up to the bank a couple of trees were shaking as the water went past so the force of it was something to behold.  I am hoping some point in my life along the Yellowstone I will get to see the actual break-up.  There were a lot of folks around by the old Bell Street bridge.  Someone had seen a deer out in the river.  It went down once, but then broke through and made it to the opposite shore.
The bitter cold of February and the snows have all but disappeared.  The prairie winds are still plenty chilly and you want to have a jacket when you go out, but the clouds in the sky are rain clouds and not snow.  The forecast is rain mixed with snow, not freezing rain followed by two to three inches of snow.  Brrr!

    The high school proms in the small high schools are over and the thoughts of the seniors are now turning to graduation.  Rural America celebrates graduation in a big way but there are also confirmation services at churches, college graduations, weddings and other life passages we celebrate through June.
       For all the hustle and bustle in the church we are fast approaching Holy Week and Easter, a time of great joy in the Christian life.  When Lent begins we drop all the "Alleluias!" from the liturgy and then return them at Easter.  It is a time of great piety for the church.  I continue on as interim at Zion.  The call committee is looking for a pastor.  That is a slow process as well.
​            My house has been for sale now for one year.  I am now trying to sell it myself but don't know just how that will go either.  I have lived here for 20+ years but know it is really more house than I want.  I will have a small house built this summer -- about 800 square feet.  The past year I have been down-sizing.  A friend introduced me to the expression, "Swedish death purge" and I love it.  I have my treasures and they will not go until "death parts us", but otherwise, not so much holding on to, anymore.
          So if you know of someone who wants to buy a one level house close to Makoshika Park in a quiet neighborhood, in a rural community, small yard, 3 bedroom, etc., etc. just let me know!   I am ready to deal!