April Wamhoff

My mom always used to say “Don’t wish your life away” when we were kids. You know when you were waiting for some special day or activity. I truly respect that phrase and it comes to haunt me often. There is good in every day, but sometimes it seems like you need to look hard under a rock or some other obstacle to find it. Lately I find my mind wandering to thoughts of soft water, flowers and green things and the like. I am ready for spring!
It has been a tough winter for me and, to be fair I think, a lot of other winter people. We have had to adjust our winter activities to conform to a different kind of winter weather. The early ice conditions did not bode well for many of us who take “good ice” for granted. Ice castles had to go to different locations, or not get out at all and snowmobilers didn’t use the lake trails for a long time. The cold came too late to set up for good ice, but it still came. And then the snow shoveling….
I was not able to drive my car home at all this year. After last years’ fiasco, some may say that my not getting my car on the ice was a good thing. It would be hard to argue with that logic. But I really enjoy that time of going down to the lake and jumping in a nice warm car. No intermediate mode of travel like snowmobile or side by side. You know, just like real people. This year was not to be.
I am ready to dispense with all of that and have some spring weather. The mud, rain and fickle springy weather is okay with me. I’ll gladly don the raincoats and mud boots to jump in the boat. I’ll chuck myself into life jackets for me and the boys to cross the lake in the small boat and windy conditions. I’m ready to put the docks down and look out over soft water.
I can’t wait to clean up the boys muddy, sandy feet. I’m ready to sweep and vacuum every day or just put up with sand everywhere including my bed. I want to throw the frisbee for Nibs in the water or in the woods with no snow. I want to watch Echo play with the crayfish on the shoreline. Luna can herd her herding ball all over the exposed rocks.
I want to put the garden buckets back out and get the deer fences ready. I want to put the houseplants out for some fresh air and real sunshine, even if I must drag them back in overnight. I’m ready to see the signs of greenhouses opening and contemplate what kinds of plants I just cannot live without. I want to sneak over to the neighbors, under the guise of checking on their place, just to look for their crocus. And I’m ready to root around in my own flower beds in search of iris sprouting. The strawberry plants, mulched safely in the boat house must want to see the light of day.
So, there I am wishing my life away, pining for spring weather. Maybe though, when you live in this climate, it’s not really wishing your life away but mentally preparing for our next season. And really isn’t that one of the things we enjoy about living here: The change of seasons. Bring it on though, I am ready for spring!