A Song Of Spring

The future starts today, not tomorrow.

Pope John Paul II
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So it's Spring is it? Well, I won't bother with the bugs and the mud. Instead I'll enjoy the birds and the buds and

I'll dust those wintry bowers,
Wash them out with April showers,
Cover them with fragrant flowers,
Shine up the silvery moon.

(Powell, Samuels, Whitcup)

I bought a bird feeder and filled it with wild bird seeds. For about two weeks the birds paid no attention to it. I was convinced the birds just didn't like me as a neighbor and that was that.

I bought a gentle bamboo wind chime and hung it out in a secluded place where the strong winds won't send it swinging. Now it tinkles gently.

Call it my patient care and concern, call it the inviting tinkle of the wind chime or call it Spring, Friday I went out to check and found most of the bird seeds gone. I didn't eat them. I haven't seen any squirrels. And considering the high pitched twittering commotion that goes on out there every morning and evening it must be the birds. So I filled it with more seeds. One day soon I'll sit out there and see if they get used to me.

My first floor housemate has been fussing around in the front, raking up leaves and poking around in the dirt, so I expect to see some blossoms showing up there pretty soon if she has her way.

It was a hard winter here, as it was in most places, and we may still have a few nasty days left but no one is going to take them seriously if we do. It's Spring. Beginning time. Time to

dust of that wintry thinking,
wash it with springing thoughts,
cover it with happy wishes and
shine up the love of life.

DB - The Vagabond
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The Ball Game
A story in 7 parts

Part 2

A few years later Jimmy started going to Allen Thompson High School in Brooklyn. In his sophomore year he decided to try out for the Thompson High baseball team.

The coach told the boys that were trying out that they had to catch one fly ball out of three tries, one ground ball out of three and hit the ball once out of three pitches.

Jimmy had no trouble catching the grounders. He finally caught the third fly ball. But when he stepped up to the plate he missed the first two pitches. His heart sank because he could tell he just wasn't good enough as a batter. The third pitch flew past him so fast he could feel the wind.

The coach said "Sorry Jimmy, You just can't hit. Maybe next year." He reached of the bat.

"Jimmy" a voice said. He saw the face of his father smiling at him just above and behind the coach. He said "Give me one more try"

"No, you've had your chance, give me the bat."

"Please, just one more. I know I can do it."

"Okay, but just one."

The pitch came fast out of the coaches hand and floated slowly, gently and gracefully toward Jimmy, like a bubble in the breeze. When it was right in front of him he gave a mighty swing and knocked the ball way into the outfield.

The coach turned and watch the ball flying through the air. None of the other boys had hit it so far.

"Okay" he said "you're on the team."

(Part 3 tomorrow)
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SPRING QUESTION

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

I eagerly await your answer.

DB
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