The last pile of snow back by the barn is almost a memory and Tulips have sprouted by the back door. Robins are franticly gathering sticks and bits of discarded string to make nests. Their time here in Minnesota is brief and they have a family to raise. Everything here in this neck of the woods has to be done on a short time schedule. The animals have to be ready for the next change of seasons and flowers have to grow, bud and go to seed. I would guess that is why spring seems to go by at an all too quick pace.

Bad news from West Virginia. In the little town of Elk Garden, my wife's Aunt Mary passed away this week. She will be missed badly by all who knew her. She was one of the last authentic hillbilly women. She seemed to like me a bit and we'd sit on the porch together hour after hour discussing what was important in her world. She made biscuits and gravy that would stop cold, the heart of an average man.

My first trip to West Virginia found me spending the night at a small old hotel. Stumbling around the halls in the morning, trying to find coffee, I ran into the maid. Even in my none too chipper state, I think I mumbled "Good Morning". That lady said "How are ya?" and believe it or not, she really wanted to know how I was. She was asking a question and was waiting for an answer. With that short encounter, I learned the secret of their hospitality. They are sincere loving folks that really do care about how you are. Here in Minnesota things are a bit different. First, you don't say "how are ya?" to anybody you aren't related to by blood. And then, if you say it to some relatives, you might just as well pull up a stump because you're going to hear about each and every ache and pian for the last several weeks. I guess our differences are what make the world such a great place.

Fishing has begun around here with a few hardy souls sitting in the sun on the river bank. I get the feeling that they don't really care if anything bites or not. They're just enjoying sunshine and warm breezes.

Writing on my latest book "Brothers by fire" is going at a slow pace. I think it will probably make me a millionaire but I'd settle for some less.

Well, 'til next time, from the land of tall tales and tall pines.
Good Day,
Ron

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