Spring Arrives……Finally!

Wow!  It has been a hard slog of a winter here in the north. Well, upper middle north anyway.  This week spring showed up and the snow is melting.  The runoff from the roof exceeds the capacity of the water barrels and cascades over the sides to water the garden below.

The tulips are so happy to be alive they are practically jumping out of the ground.

The bees are buzzing about. Satisfying their spring hunger by nibbling the decaying pears.

The Cedar Waxwings couldn’t wait for the spring snows to end before they finished off the last of the mountain ash berries.

Hares haven’t yet turned but some brown is creeping into their white fur.  A sure sign spring is near.  This picture was taken a month ago, I am positive this little hare is almost all brown by now.

The buds are beginning to swell.  The lilacs will soon blossom.  Their familiar fragrance will float on gentle breezes in through newly opened windows.

It won’t be long before the sunflower husks discarded by the birds and squirrels will be raked up to be put into the compost for next years soil.

Today was our first official “yarden” walk.  The moss is growing green and the walkway will warm under the sun.

Plans are forming for tomatoes, herbs and squash.  Maybe this year I will try my hand at potatoes.  The earth is moist a blessing of the snow.

Cheryle  April 2018

 

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STORY CUBE CHALLENGE #7 – VOYAGES 2 – DUE APRIL 15, 2018

 

A FRIENDLY VISIT

The STARS twinkle against the black of the night as I crane my neck to see the almost invisible PLANE fly overhead.  I track it by the roar of its engines and can just see the light from the cabin shine out the tiny windows. I raise my HAND and give my best friend a final wave as she flies across the country back to her home and family.

Her visit was a whirlwind of adventures. Being apart for more than 20 years we didn’t waste any TIME catching up, we practically melted our credit CARDS. We enjoyed laughter and tears watching live THEATRE at The Pumphouse. Our skin glowed from the BEE pollen facials we treated ourselves to while reminiscing about childhood antics. We ate out every night, except pizza night when we stay in and watched romantic comedies.

Last weekend we kicked off our shoes and left FOOTPRINTS in the snow from the kitchen to the hot tub while we laid back and soaked our aching muscles from our trek around Vulcan.  We didn’t see any ALIENS but had a blast touring the Visitors Centre and the Starship Enterprise replica.

As I watch the plane slip into the night, I know I will remember this visit for many years. I guess it is now my turn to visit her in Halifax.  This trip will be hard to top, but we will do our best next time we get together.

 

Cheryle – April 15, 2018

For more Story Cube Challenge posts Visit: A ‘Lil HooHaa Story Cube Challenge #7

 

STORY CUBE CHALLENGE #6 – MIXED BAG – APRIL 1, 2018

STORY CUBE CHALLENGE #6 – MIXED BAG – APRIL 1, 2018

                 The crowd of spectators go crazy as the undefeated técnico luchadore “The Rat” steps over and squeezes through the ropes surrounding the Lucha Libre wrestling ring.  Flexing his sinuous muscles he struts around the mat, twirling his red silk cape while showing off his menacing red mask to his fans.

The screams reach a fever pitch as the supporters of the rudo luchadore “The Spotted One”, their rule breaking hero, steps into the arena and they start to chant his name.

The sports fans work themselves into a deafening frenzy trying to outdo each other. The rule-supporters shouting Rata, Rata Viva Rata and the rule-breakers yelling “Moteado Uno”.

The referee hammers the bell. The Rat and The Spotted One slowly circle each other, arms out knees bent, side step, side step as they eye each other, building the tension for their fans.  Suddenly The Spotted One lunges at The Rat in an attempt to punch him in the groin. Instantly the arena erupts into chaos. Rat supporters calling for disqualification as the rest of the spectators cry out in triumph. The match has begun.

Even though everyone knows the outcome, who will be awarded the trophy, the wave of hysteria emanating from the spectators urges the luchadores to perform more intricate, and difficult acrobatics.  Employing high flying maneuvers meant to amaze them.  Five minutes into the performance, The Rat catapults off the ropes flying through the air toward The Spotted One.  His eyes open wide as he realizes he miscalculated his trajectory and misses his target. Smashing into the mat he flips over, rocks back and forth a couple of times and is still.  The Spotted One rushes to his side as the referee interrupts the cacophony of the audience and calls for the Doctor.

It takes the Doctor a minute to navigate the spiders’ web that is the arena seating before he clambers up into the ring and reaches the downed luchadore.  Grasping his stethoscope he quickly presses it to The Rats chest. Waving his arms, the audience hushes so he can listen.  His thumb extends upward as he hears the faint beat of the heart pulsing through The Rats’ chest.  A collective sigh of relief is expelled from the audience as The Rat moves and struggles to sit up.   With a roar, everyone rises hollering their happiness at his recovery.

Cheryle – April 1, 2018