By MYRNA FAUSKA
March came frolicking in like a lamb, with temperatures in the ‘50s and sunshine to warm the cockles of our hearts. The forecast for this first week is for continued spring-like temperatures that should make us want to get out and about and enjoy the weather. Time will tell whether this will be our fate as the month progresses, as March has a history of dumping record-breaking snowstorms on us before the end of its 31 days.
The last Tuesday of the month is usually the Kendall Public Library’s book-club day, and February was no exception. I attended the evening group session, and it was agreed that “Wish You Well” by David Baldacci was an excellent read. This was different from Baldacci’s usual genre of thrillers, and we all enjoyed the story. On Thursday my husband Dave and I were in Hillsboro and stopped at St. Joseph’s Hospital to see Allan Bell, who is recovering from knee-replacement surgery.
Up toward the end of the valley, Ron Garvens had a quiet weekend of bachelorhood after Arlene had left for a quilting trip with some of her buddies. She didn’t get home in time for me to get the particulars to tell you about, but hopefully she will be able to give us a report next week.
On Wednesday morning, Don and Donna DeWitt of rural Ontario arrived in the valley to take Jim and Mary Parkhurst out for breakfast at Chapparal Restaurant near Wonewoc.
Layla Marty accompanied her dad Chip and brother Brett to a high school wrestling tournament. On Saturday, Chip and Brett were in Madison, attending the state high school wrestling Tournament while the Marty girls were at a basketball tournament in New Lisbon. Then the family spent the night at a hotel in De Forest, Wis. On Sunday the Martys were in Rio, Wis., where Brett competed in a wrestling tournament and received a first in his age and weight group. High fives for Brett!
On Monday, Sally Dana returned from her annual trip to Mexico, and Lynette Vlasak picked her up in La Crosse. The gals were at the library’s book club Tuesday, and on Thursday, Lynette attended a census meeting in Sparta. She and Sally then went to Onalaska for a visit with cousin Henry Leibl. On Friday, Lynette attended a retirement lunch for Brooke Newberry with other local librarians at Benders Family Restaurant in Elroy. In the evening, Lynette and Sally joined Cheryl Neitzel at the card-making lessons at Blossoms and Bouquets in Wonewoc. On Saturday the gals drove to Tomah to visit Aunt Irene Smith at Close To Home. From there, they went to New Lisbon to see great-niece Layla Marty play basketball in the fifth-grade tournament.
The sun is shining brightly as it was a month ago today when the groundhog made his appearance. Presumably he is still back in his hole, hibernating. Will he be back out in two weeks? We’ll just have to wait and see. The Lord is in control of the weather, and He has provided us with an entertaining story about the prediction of it. With all of the misbehavior of the human race that grieves Him, I hope He manages to get a chuckle out of some of our shenanigans here in God’s little corner of creation. Our lives matter to God, and in James’ first book in the New Testament, he tells us how much God loves us in Chapter 3. How can we not try to please Him as we go about our daily lives, giving Him constant thanks and praise?
