Ahh spring is indeed in the air. As you step outside, you can smell the difference in the air. That cool breeze has a hint of moisture coming up from the south. I used to tell spring was on its way when the Mourning Doves began to arrive. For quite a few years now, they have spent the winter months here. They will be making their morning calls soon. That will be another sign warm weather is indeed on its way. I sure am glad those dark gloomy days are fading behind us now. Normally during the cold January months my sunroom gets too hot. I have to actually be careful my flowers do not get too dry. Not this year though, the wood stove has been hot for twenty-four hours non-stop.  One morning, I did stay in bed a bit late, and the house cooled down a bit too much. As a youngster, forty-eight degrees was warm in the old days. One didn’t have to break the ice in the water bucket that morning. But not this old man, that was a bit too cool. I figured I must have been sick to stay in bed until five in the morning. Now, I am glad I am back to my normal routine. That first cup of coffee is ready at three am for sure. But the good news is “spring is coming”. The most important tell-tale sign will be the rings around the trees. When you take a quick peek into the forest, the snow will be melting around the base of the tree finally. That is a sure sign spring is here.
In the 50’s this would be the time for excitement. There would be visions of what needed to be done for the summer. We would be getting out the old seed catalogues and dream of what vegetables to plant. Not now though, it is more like one zucchini or two tomatoe plants. I have switched to flowers instead of veggies. I have begun to separate the Canna Lilies and the Clivia plants. These I can give away when the folks begin their journey back into the mountains. One spring, I gave away over twenty Amaryllis plants just because the seeds I planted were happy.  This year, it will be the lilies and a couple Clivia plants. I have three clivia plants putting forth a blossom stem already. I have been warned a couple of times, one can actually be called a hoarder if they have too many plants. I think the last count was just under fifty plants, so I am safe thus far.

Springtime in Rangeley seems different than it used to be in the days of old. I have to chuckle a bit here when I use that phrase. “Days of Old”,   Heck, I am only 78 and yet I can remember the boys coming home from the big war.  I remember wearing that political pin “I Like Ike”. I am sorry to say, we will not see times such as that again. The world has gone totally crazy. There is a huge black cloud on the horizon. Will it pass us or, will this be the most peaceful spring we see this decade? So, let’s not waste it folks. If this is to be the best and most peaceful spring for a long time, make sure you cherish each day from sunrise to sunset. Get out there, get that dirt under your fingernails and feel Mother Earth again. Scientist are saying the earth is spinning too fast.  So, you should make the effort to slow things down a bit. Harvest those dandelion flowers, make that wine like Grandpa used to make. Take that walk into the forest and bring home those precious herbs. Learn how to make your own medicine. If you don’t know how, I am afraid you will have to learn before too many years slide on by.
You, the younger generation need to remember to build those precious memories. There were times even getting stuck in the mud with friends is a grand old memory. We worked for hours just so we could go get stuck somewhere else. Dirty, yea, we got dirty for sure. But it was a joy and is now a beautiful memory of friends long gone.  Don’t waste it folks.  You will not get these times back.    When the page of each day turns over, it will be behind you. You may have just passed on a beautiful memory that was presented to you.     Ken White COB mountainman