As I drove by today, trucks and trailers were lined up to get their fill of the richness. And I am already seeing it in flower beds around town, dark with nutrients recycled the natural way. Maybe I'll pick some up on Thursday. . . a good way to celebrate Earth day! I can throw some into my own composter as well and get my personal compost off to a good start.
Can I just admire Spring some more? Having come from a desert state, the sheer power of the earth and sun and rain and such continue to astound me. Here, in a few short weeks the world goes from gray to green. Already the underbrush in my wooded areas is knee high, and I know it will be above my waist before much longer. Plants, flowers, tree and all manner of growing things appear as if my magic. Spring really is a miracle.
In my door wreath a house finch family is growing. The mother had made the nest and laid the eggs before I discovered it, or I would have discouraged her from that particular location. But it was done and I have really enjoyed watching that little family through the window in the door. "Little mother" is gone now that the chicks are hatched and getting feathers at an amazing rate; she is apparently off making another nest elsewhere. "Daddy bird" is doing the feeding now, and soon those three little babies will be on the wing. It has been a joy to have the chance to watch their family so intimately through the glass.
Ah, Bentonville. My sweet, quiet little community. How I love sharing Spring with you!
Yesterday I picked up my lawn mower from its Spring tune-up appointment. I took it to Bates Small Engine repair, a true Mom and Pop shop. I knew to take it there because of the number of lawn mowers that are lined up outside waiting to be serviced. There is no other signage or advertising that would indicate its presence, that I noticed. Inside is a greasy handed, long- bearded gentleman in his 60s, I'd say, who sorts through stacks of repair parts that are piled high on the counter in the dirty, dimly lit workshop. His wife is behind the counter to take your name and jot down on a tag what is needed. Above the counter, on a hand written sign it states "Estimates are NOT free" and on another "Rate: $40/hour." The couple work well together, and when I pulled up in my minivan with two kids in tow, they helped me unload the mower and get it tagged. They told me they were running two weeks behind, and that if I'd come in January it would've been quicker. No doubt. When I swung by yesterday, it was ready, as they'd said, and again, they helped me load it. What a gift to a community, to have knowledgeable, down-to-earth folks, doing their thing and contributing their expertise. I look forward to going back, probably in January.
My next stop was Walmart, for shoes, eggs and bikes for the kids. Buying bikes with kids in tow at one of the busiest times of day was. . . bordering on insanity? "What do you think this is, a three ring circus?" laughed a gentleman from church who I ran into as my kids were riding their new bikes through the grocery aisles. Apparently. Then, with a grin, he asked "are you going to buy those bikes? That's my department, so you would be doing me a favor!" Ah, only in Bentonville do you run into (not literally, but almost) your friend, who is responsible for purchasing the goods that are now it your shopping cart. I should have told him I wanted more selection, but since my kids has almost run over him, and were about to crash into an end-cap, it wasn't an ideal time to ask for favors.
Well, there are my Bentonville thoughts for the day. More Spring pictures are coming soon!
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