I thought it was still spring

Published 05-28-2020

The old adage about April showers bringing May flowers is usually true in the South, and my corner of Tennessee has definitely gotten it’s share. I’m wondering what May showers bring... other than the humidity that Southern summers are known for. I’m guessing some headaches for local farmers wanting to get spring planting done would be part of that rhyme.

While that humidity can be oppressive (who doesn’t love reading 95 on the thermometer coupled with air so thick you can taste it) there’s something to be said for watching an afternoon thunderstorm roll through. When the wind whips up, it’s sound through the trees in the back yard can roar like a freight train at top speed. It was quite unnerving the first time I heard it, and Vince and I took bets on how many trees we’d lose.

I’ve come to learn summer storms can be interesting... scary and fun like a roller coaster ride but awe inspiring with their power.

And as spring starts to look more like summer, the critters that surround my house have seemingly gotten more brazen.

First it was the pair of snakes that snuck in to the dryer vent, one venturing into my dryer motor. Now it’s the squirrels making a mockery of Spock no longer being on patrol and venturing right up to the sliding glass door in our bedroom, pressed up against the glass as if casing the place was a normal morning errand. Not that I mind the squirrels much, they’re pretty cute running through the trees, but my habit of leaving the door open on cooler mornings to enjoy the breeze might have to be curtailed unless Bones decides it’s now his job to keep them at bay.

And since he only noticed the squirrel after it started tapping on the glass, I don’t have much hope.

Hopefully the mated Cardinal pair that summers in my back yard was the “comes in threes” as far as my animal adventures for the year, but somehow I don’t think I’m going to be that lucky.

I’m anxiously awaiting the skink that has found it’s way into the basement the last two summers, no matter what we do. On the plus side, I have yet to find a spider web or cicada down there, so it’s a trade off.

And after almost two years, a wasp getting into the house doesn’t freak me out, I just get a newspaper, or more often shoo it out of the house.

Sometimes, it’s the small victories that mean the most.

•••••••

I usually don’t comment about local happenings, especially since we moved, but I wanted to give kudos to Gustine in their efforts to make due and do their best regarding two very important events on the West Side.

The efforts of all involved, from the City to the school district and everyone in between to give graduating students a a ceremony, that while not traditional will certainly be memorable for both students and families. Giving students their recognition on the day they were scheduled to graduate gives them a piece back of what was lost, and probably will end up being a bigger gift to those who put in the work to make it happen for their students. And while it wasn’t the graduation ceremony everyone envisioned, it will be a great night for the students who have worked so hard.

That same community spirit can be found in those working hard to try to throw Gustine’s 4th of July fireworks show, it’s future in doubt like most events that bring our towns together. I applaud the city council for looking for ways to make at least a segment of the traditional festivities still happen.

It’s nice to see that community spirit alive and well when so much has changed.