A Winter Song

Spring comes to you at the farthest
In the very end of harvest.

William Shakespeare
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Hello Baffin Island
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Yesterday was a cold, wet, windy day here in eastern Pennsylvania. As I walked the two blocks back to my apartment house, huddled in my jacket which was not quite warm enough, I thought how much it resembled a winter day.

That made me reflect on how things were with me during the Winter. No matter what the weather is life goes on, and winter weather is the kind that prompts indoor activities, taking stock of personal things and some introspection. As I walked along against the wind I thought about where I was in January, How much did I gain, of self awareness and strength of purpose. How much did I lose, of negativity, arrogance and futile dreams.

The Winter was a time of rebuked pride, weakening of body but raising of standards, a time of chastisement for past errors, healing strokes for recent rebukes and recognition of personal worth. It was a time for weeding out thoughts that were contributing to confusion, planting new ideas and gathering up lessons learned.

As Spring came with its tearful buckets of bad national and international news I knew I could retreat into the safety and warmth of my own barn surrounded by the accomplishments of another year. I can peer out with hope for the well being of the world, know that the music is still being played, the paintings are still on display and the curtains are still going up, and even though I'm not there I can be grateful for the fact that my life is still a life being lived.

When the last Christmas decoration has been taken down, the last piece of pumpkin pie has been eaten, the last thank you card has been sent and the New Year has been welcomed in, then is the time to tend the inner crops, the rich fields of experience, aspiration and love. And then, when you are ripe and ready, gather up the harvest of your Winter and welcome the Spring.

DB - The Vagabond
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This Week's Contest - Answers

You were ordered to take a famous remark, a cliche or otherwise and restate it in the most verbose manner possible. Example:

Night is an inappropriate time for the manufacture of animal feed.
(Make hay while the sun shines.)

There were 6 excellent replies;
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a lump of old coal on the far reaches of the golf course
Sue
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Not for all the herbs in Asia

Avians of similar plumage congregate amongst themselves

A lupine in ovine's garb

The chirography instrument is more invincible than the foil

Janice Slack
jamcs605@aol.com
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One is wiser not to place their heavy, opened, two-wheeled vehicle, used for the conveyance of their goods, drawn by their large, solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped, in front of its mouth, but to place it behind its hindquarters (a.k.a its arse).
Val
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It was a difficult choice but the judge is awarding the first place prize to Val for the sheer verbosity of the cart before the horse.

Second place is tough, but it's going to Sue for the diamond in the rough.

And third prize to Janice for the pen being mightier than the sword.

Thank you all. Excellent work.
There may be another puzzle this week, if I have the stamina for it.
DB
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SPRING QUESTION
(This is not a contest)

NASA has planned to send a two man mission on an 18 month trip to the planet Mars. It would take 6 months for the astronauts to get there and after 6 months of exploration another 6 months to return.

Should they do it and why, and if not, why not?

dbdacoba@aol.com

4 answers so far

I eagerly await your answer.

DB,
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