I was thinking that May would be pretty quiet, once the monumental trip to Chicago was over, things might calm down, I might be able to kick back, relax, let the mind wander (as it is wont to do), do some stuff that had fallen by the wayside, as often happens, get some things done, maybe. May be…
First of all, the April Fool’s event, when the next door tree took out a large percentage of my front porch. The place took things pretty well, considering that it’s a near-century home and we will not see its like again any time soon. However, replacement will not be any cake walk either, since from the roof on down, there is work to be done–replace siding, replace gutters, restore handrails, pillars, soffit, facings, trim–and that’s just the start. Somehow, that renegade tree knocked out the power outlets on the front porch…AND the back porch and the outlets on both sides. The Porch Kitties are plenty ticked off because the heat in their condos disappeared just as the weather took a turn and they had no heat; they’ve been giving me the “stink eye” of disapproval, wanting to know how I have the NERVE to not invite them in. Not going to happen. I’ll just have to move real fast going in and out of the doors, to avoid having unexpected company.
Then there’s the thought that as long as the place is going to be a colossal mess anyway, why don’t I just go ahead and do an even bigger project? Still thinking on that one. Watch this space.
Anyway, most of the saints recognized by the Old Farmer in May are not real well-known–Sts Phillip & John, St. Athanasius, St.Julian of Norwich, St.Gregory of Nazianzus, St.Dunstan, St.Bede (origin of the term “A.D.– “Anno Domini–Year of our Lord”)–second team saints, so to speak. Might have some connection to the cryptic entries : Three…Chilly…Saints… on the 11th, 12th and 13th. But who knows? Mother’s Day is big in the flowers, cards & confectionary lines, the Full Flower Moon just passed us by on the 5th (Cinco de Mayo too!). Then we get to observe Memorial Day on Monday, the 29th. Notice that it’s “observed”, not “celebrated”, given its solemn purpose of recognizing those who served their country–our country–with their lives and with their loss. Have to start gearing up for that one. Requires inspiration
Then it dawned on me…Oral History Day…Band Concert…Bloodmobile…Senior Recognition Night…Furnace man…Graduation…Open houses…. As my father used to say, “No rest for the wicked.” I go to everything.
The Oral History program on the 21st at Village Hall should be interesting. Local farmers will be featured, telling about heaven-only-knows-what is going on on the farm now-a-days and, presumably, a little history and background concerning their own, actual, farms. They’ll milk it for all it’s worth, no doubt. The Band Concert on the 7th showcased every instrumentalist from fifth grade on up, making it clear why the HS band just got a I in state competition, why every time we go to band shows across the area we are favorably compared with bands twice or even three-times our size : got sound, got spirit, got volume! Go Band! Senior Recognition Night is always amazing. The awards! The scholarships! The futures on display! An amazing crowd, for sure. The Guidance department is starting to post some of the Senior info on the bulletin board in the Senior hallway. Some are heading off to colleges and universities,–I spotted at least one trade school (culinary)for those who want to get right to it with a practical education–some are heading for the workforce (at a pretty good time too, lots of hiring going on), some are opting to head off to the armed services, where they can serve their country as well as acquire skills and even an education, healthcare and direction which they may be unsure about at this time. Then, like the Air Force song says, “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder.” It is definitely wild out there but readiness will make it easier to fly anywhere they want to go. The open houses are the “icing on the cake”–some of the cakes are amazing too.
