I use a question mark, because if you set your hopes on spring too early around here, you are SURE to be disappointed. (If I see any more bluebonnet photos on Facebook, I may die of jealousy!) I try to lower my expectations to at least mid-May, and even then shorts and sandals may be out of the question. Swimming is simply not done until the end of June – and even then it is cold and will remain so all summer. And though, for us, this had been a mild winter (even been up to 80 degrees lately – note shorts & sandals being worn in following photos!), it seems like just a few short weeks ago this was the scene in our backyard: a heavy snow that had collapsed the chicken yard, so all the feathered ladies were roosting in fright! Oh, they are so funny to watch, and I loved going out to get this photo and trying to capture their alarm over this new situation they found themselves in.
Well, the coop got fixed and now they are free to venture outside again. I think they must be enjoying the change of season as much as I am, because they are laying LOTS of eggs right now. Even the “old” ladies that we got 2 springs ago seem to have begun production again after being on strike all winter. (Only the newbies were laying in the cold months.) And I will spare you another egg photo, but let me assure you, they are as beautiful as ever in their shades of brown, beige, and blue! We could have hidden them for the Easter egg hunt, but I didn’t think the kids would want to forgo the annual egg-dyeing ritual.
And then we had SUCH a wonderful Easter. It is definitely becoming one of my favorite weeks of the year. The church was open all week for folks to come by and contribute to an art collage project depicting the Crucifixion, Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. Friends Michelle and Cindy were the major contributors to this, but the kids and I spent Thursday afternoon working on parts of it, and others joined in over the Easter weekend. Friday was our annual “Crosswalk.” For as long as we’ve been here to plant the church, we’ve done this on Good Friday afternoon. This large wooden cross is carried by one or a few through our downtown area. It may seem very “in your face,” as Robert puts it, but it is the only time our church ever engages in this type of overt act. Good Friday seems an appropriate time to do that sort of a thing. As you can imagine, the responses are quite varied. Some will make the sign of the cross and look on with reverence. Some yell, curse, and use hateful gestures. We stop at several places and read the story of the Crucifixion from the gospels. Back at the church building, there was a time of reflection on this small act of identifying with what Christ went through on our behalf that day. It is always such a beautiful and meaningful time.
The next day was set aside for egg-dyeing with friends. I hard boiled 90 eggs so that my three and their three good friends would have PLENTY to create with. I use to do less, but no one was ever satisfied with dyeing only 4 or 5. (Even Robert likes to have his personal stash to work with!) As a child, I used to wake up to an Easter basket and lots of already hidden eggs in the backyard. As a pastor’s family, we have never quite been able to pull this off – having to leave early for church, etc. So, we have always waited until the afternoon when all church services and activities are over, the pastor and his wife have made their three o’clock pot of coffee, and the kids can not wait ONE MORE minute. (And some years, there has been snow on the ground, or it’s been 20 degrees and windy, and then parental motivation is really down!)
Monday brought with it LOTS of baseball. Kory has already been practicing with the high school team, and this week began practicing with his old Babe Ruth League team. (Yes, that makes for 2 teams that he is now on.) (Oh – and homeschoolers can still play public school sports here.) Robert just thought he had retired from his illustrious Little League Coaching Career, (last in the league, 2 years in a row) but then the call came from the Babe Ruth coach requesting his assistance. So, now Kory is returning, Dad is coaching, and Cooper, who had decided to opt for tennis this time around, is now playing – all on the same team. Say a little prayer for the A’s – both coaches and players could use a little ego boost.
Last night was Kory’s first high school game. He got to start at second base, and in the first inning made a great double play! He also had some good hits and more outs at second. This kid never ceases to amaze us. He is now about 5’6 and weighs over 150 lbs, teaches himself (for the most part) Algebra 2, runs the powerpoint at church, and on his week off from school this week was found reading Citizen Soldiers by Stephen Ambrose in his spare time.(Loves war history – especially WW2.)
Last night’s game went in to extra innings, and then we ended up losing by 2. The opposing team had a player with only one arm. I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that he was their best player – hitting the ball like crazy and then making heroic, diving outs in center field. When people caught on to the fact that he was using only one arm, it was quite an inspiration.
I’ve always enjoyed being at a baseball game. I know it has so much to do with the time of year. The sun was out, the sandals were on, my cheeks got pink, and iced coffee and chocolate were involved.
Happy Spring!
And I've enjoyed many a baseball game with you in the past! Happy Spring, Mel! Blue skies, K&J