THE FOURTH OF THE THIRD

SPRING CLEAN-UP

Somewhere off to the left, in the mid distance, behind that point, hidden by the pine tree to the left is "Hole in the Wall".  Actually, only a small channel between two islands but a neat name for a "Place".

There appears to be some open water on the big lake and that means the real work of the winter starts.  Spring is inevitable but always seems to take it's good time to arrive and the clean-up of winter debris along the shore and the repair of the road is something that just cannot wait till the ice is completely gone.  For you see, just when the ice leaves, the fish are on top filling their lean bodies with the spring run of smelt.  That is the occurrence that takes precedence and work must be out of the way well before that event.

The memories of landlocked salmon past, just triggers the "let's get ready" mechanism in my head.

Or a football sized Rainbow to surprise us all.

I mean........This is the important stuff!

And one must be prepared.

But Alas!  There is!

Pot holes created by winter run-off and normal erosion wait to be filled and the road graded.  The big woods is not yet alive and even the fiddle heads have not put in an appearance. 

They say these things taste like asparagus in the early spring, but it takes a man more hungry than I to test that theory.

Beach clean-up may be premature because the "Ice Out" spring winds have not cluttered the beaches yet.  But it is a chore where the mind can drift to more pleasant chores.

Those early spring winds can be a game changer for not only the shore line, but the fish behavior.  I know that the winds certainly change the plans of the fishermen on the lake.

It's early but the first warm day signals my blood machinery that it's time to crank up and the anticipation is just too much.  I suppose that I could seed some of the carrots and summer onions that I bought, using large plastic pots that can be moved as the sun moves.  May not be too early for those seeds to start germinating.  And if it is, well the seeds are cheap enough and I can start all over again in a month, or just add to that which I plant  this day. 

If nothing else, I have the opportunity to take a nice long walk through nature and smile.  Small chores for the most part, but big blessings.  A chance to briefly take the mind away from the day and thank the good Lord for a life time of memories.