The fields are sitting dormant just now, but soon plow, disk and drag will turn the supple, rich soil and the planting season will begin.
I try not to think too far ahead because I tend to get overwhelmed with the amount of work waiting for us. One day at a time, Lord! If I could actually get into my heart what my head tells me, I’d be better off.
Just when the ground was supple, the frost left (finally) and the lawn cleared of snow, a couple of our heifers got out. They went for a jaunt around our yard, checking out much of the landscape. Exasperatingly I see the proof of their escape in the 2-inch divots they left behind. So as I’m raking, I step out hoof prints, and those I can’t step out I’ll have to fill in. Sheer, maddening frustration.
This year, as usual, the spring farm work ties in with attending daughter’s softball games, but in addition to that, our daughter graduates high school in May so there is a party in the works. The spring band concert, state music competition, softball banquet and awards night are scheduled before the end of May. All of this takes additional time and planning to get everywhere and still handle the field work and farm chores. My “overwhelmed status” is in overdrive.
Because the weather has finally cooperated, our daughter’s softball games are being played. This past week she had a tournament on Saturday and games the following Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday! They have to get smashed together in order to continue on with the schedule.
I bring or wear layers of clothes and, depending on the temperature, strip off or bundle up. The Saturday tournament had us wrapped in blankets despite a sunny day. That night we were all crimson-faced with burned lips. It amazes me how one can be huddled against the chill and go to bed that night with a fevered, sunburned face. My eyeballs even felt gritty. I know that’s not good for us!
Watching our daughter and her team play is such fun, and I appreciate each game because I know this, too, shall pass and is, right before our very eyes. I see improvement in the team because of the consistency of the games, and that is very encouraging. I admire the young ladies as they cheer one another on to continue to try their hardest, shake off errors and go on to the next play.
The Brewers are also fun to watch, as right now they have the best record in baseball. How amazing! We try to catch at least part of the games, especially when they play at night.
Easter Sunday, the Brewers played an afternoon game. We had the TV off while we were eating our dinner at my sister’s house, but as soon as we were finished, a few of us went into the living room to catch the game (we’re all Brewers fans) and happened to see Carlos Gomez drill a triple to right center. Gomez slid into third by the skin of his teeth because he thought he had cranked a homer, so was watching it fly as he was trotting to first. When he realized it had bounced off the wall, Gomez kicked it in. Pittsburgh’s pitcher had, by that time, advanced over to back up the throw and he must have hurled a taunt because Carlos came up from the dirt at third, threw off his helmet and clenched his hands in fists.
All of a sudden, those of us in the kitchen and dining room heard a shout, “Fight! Fight!” from the living room and we all ran over, gathering around the TV with our mouths hanging open as we watched both benches and even the bullpen clear and come charging toward the infield in a growing brawl. It was crazy!
At this point, I haven’t heard what repercussions were handed out, but Gomez and Pirates’ outfielder Travis Snider were ejected from the game right then and there. The Brewers went on to win that one in 14 innings — now that’s justification!
The Brew Crew has a new mascot this year, Hank the Dog. It’s a positive little perk that dropped into their lap and is undoubtedly a marketing dream producing Hank the Dog T-shirts, plush Hank the Dog stuffed animals, pins and pennants, with 20 percent of the money collected going to the Wisconsin Humane Society. The stray was picked up as he wandered over to their spring training facility in Arizona and has been with the team ever since. I think it’s pretty awesome.
From fieldwork to raking to planning graduation parties, to attending spring banquets and concerts and awards dinners, to enjoying daughter’s softball and Brewers baseball games, complete with a live mascot, spring activities abound!
(“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” Song of Solomon 2:11-12)
Categories
