The soothsayer said, “Beware the Ides of March!” We can be wary any day of things unknown and we can celebrate any day for the good things we do know. As to good things, the 15th of March is the birth anniversary of Justice Ruth B. Ginsberg, U.S Supreme Court, of Sam Lightning Hopkins, Texas blues man, of Jacob Masters, 3rd baseman batting .400 and of his second cousin, several years his senior far over the sea. Champions stay on the lookout for good things every day of the year, unconcerned about the unknown. We know about St. Patrick’s Day, however, and will enjoy our individual and family ways to observe the occasion. We think of corned beef and cabbage, shamrocks, leprechauns, sparkling castles on the Emerald Isle and sweet Molly Malone. Many of us are descendants of the Irish emigrants who arrived here a hundred years ago. R.D. says, “It’s like the old boy says, everybody’s got to be somewhere.”

Knowing full well that Champion’s official last frost date is May 10th, gardeners are eager and struggling not to be too early with their efforts. The on-line almanac says the 21st and 22nd will be excellent for sowing seedbeds and flower gardens. Lawns will soon enough need to be mowed, so let the grumbling begin.


Champion mail. [enlarge]

A favorite percussionist favored the Sometimes Porch Band at Champion Wednesday with her spoons. Spoons themselves are prehistoric, and you can say there have been spoon players around since the invention of the spoon. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all played spoons and now a retired foot-soldier of the USPS is a master of the art—a virtuoso. She is a fan of The Champion News and is known to have at least one article preserved in her bible. That one was about Cowboy Jack when he landed flat on his back in a cold creek a few years ago. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. Hopes are the water going over the Clever Creek Bridge will recede enough by Wednesday to allow the band to meet up again for a few more tunes. Music is one of the great unifiers of people and a great medicine for what ails you. “Keep a little song handy where ever you go and nothing can ever go wrong.” That is what Rudy Valley said.


Avery

How delicious it is to have our wonderful water table recharged with gentle rains as our daffodils are blooming to herald the emergence of all the other spring delights. Among those are the mushrooms that are considered treasures in this particular part of the world. The season begins after a few warm nights. The seasons change, times changes and the configuration of the community changes as people pass on or move away and as others arrive looking for a home. We are reminded that in the big picture, we are all transients. So we welcome our new neighbors and enjoy hearing from Champions who live elsewhere now, but still consider this home. Hovey Henson writes from Houston, Texas to say he and Dawn have recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary and to proclaim they are still hopelessly in love. While he is at it, he shamelessly brags about their brilliant granddaughter, Avery. Dawn says he is obnoxious about it, but he does not care. We enjoy his kind words and are reminded that words count and have consequences. An off-hand remark or one carefully constructed can have unforeseen and unintended effects. In hopes for peace and understanding, we endeavor, though not always with success, to choose our words wisely in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!


 
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