On the cusp of Spring

It is cold today.  It has been cold.  According to the weather man who lives in my smart phone it will be 28 degrees on March 1st so there is hope,  Not only has it been cold, but it has been long and cold.  Thanksgiving 2017, my nephew and family were here and it was a delightful week-end.  We had to put on some warm jackets for the Parade of Lights, but it was a pleasant evening.  After that it was lock-down winter time!!  Fortunately I had some help from a couple gentlemen from the church and I had a snow blower and a leaf-type blower I could use depending on the amount of snow we got.  Snow removal went pretty quickly although ‘Nanook of the North’ 2.0 was definitely my mode of dress and the way I looked after an hour in sub-zero temps.
​    Monday, Tuesday and today we have had frigid temps, but blue sky and sunshine and that helps.  There has been a lot of ice as well so all as older folks have been taking it slow and easy.
       I was visiting with a friend today who mentioned the snow pack in the Big Horns and the  West is higher than normal this year so that probably means we can prepare ourselves for some flooding this year again.  We have had some high water the last few years.  Living along side a major river makes you more alert to those things.  It is also amazing to watch what in the depths of summer is not much of a river compared to other areas of the country, at Spring flood rolls out of its banks and spreads across the countryside throwing up huge chunks of ice that dam up and can cause a lot of trouble.  When the ice on the river starts to move it goes so quickly.  I remember years when in February the ice slipped out quickly and overnight, but this year that isn't apt to happen.
   Being house bound and not having a busy schedule like last year I have had more time to think, read, knit, visit, write letters and do some of those little jobs that never get done.  Recently I have started to make a short list of things that need to be done.  Right now I am looking at my list and it is down to dig out the door to the shed and shred a stack of paper that has been sitting next to the shredder far too long.  This morning I hauled a plastic sack of aluminum cans to a drop off point down town.  I must admit to a smug satisfaction when I can cross these items off.  Of course there is no danger of ever running out of things to do.  I should add dust the book cases in my living room!!!
    Yesterday I stopped at the Nursing Home to visit a friend who just turned 100 years old.  I had a conflict on the day of her birthday party — of course.  But I went up to see her in the morning so I could wish her well.  Yesterday she was reading the paper when I came in.   What a delightful lady and still so interested in life and living.  She had two maiden aunts who lived to be nearly 100 so we decided it was in her Scandinavian DNA.
   It is always fun to watch how life goes on even on the coldest of days.  Last night I had a city council meeting and tonight the Library Board meets.  The Eastern A basketball tournament is meeting in Billings so lots of folks have headed up there in spite of roads and weather.  People come and people go.  People move out of town for various reasons but then someone new moves in to take their place.
   I got my latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens today and of course their cover is about gardening and Spring!  I admit to looking around and thinking about some minor changes.  I am thinking about having someone build me a box for flowers that is something I can work with standing up this summer.  Have to see if I can find someone.  The April calendar is filling up with various events.  All good things.