While driving through the town of Conneaut Lake early this past Tuesday morning, my eyes caught the sight of something totally unexpected on the left side of the roadway. There, nestled near the front door of one of the houses adorning the street, stood a neatly trimmed Forsythia bush..in nearly FULL blossom! I was , quite honestly, fully mesmerized by the sight I encountered.
Recently, I have heralded the arrivals in my own gardens of the Daffodils, Crocuses, and Grape Hyacinths poking their heads through the fallen leaves and dustings of snow. Each of them fully intent upon rising to their annual rebirths.
HINTS OF CHANGE
Back home, early that evening, I “clicked-on” the Facebook page on my computer. (YES! I KNOW that many folks belie this means of “communication. Yet, I must admit, I AM addicted to the page. So be it!)
Browsing through the many, many postings, I noticed again…and again…and AGAIN…the proliferation of notices concerning the “mountings” of sugar buckets upon the numerous Maple trees throughout our Region. Moreover, several events were listed featuring the tastings of the Maple syrups “distilled” from these bucket collections. As with every anticipated Spring arrival, Maple Festivals take place throughout our Region…and, beyond.
Later, as I “tore myself” away from my desk and computer, I called to Hobbes (my beloved Canine Companion) to rise and follow me outside for a break in the non-action.
Instead of exiting the front door of the house, we decided to “go-out-back.”
WOW!!! Our ears were FILLED with the sounds coming from the wetlands surrounding our homestead.
The FROGS WERE BACK!!! There they were, as they were every year since our invasive arrival at THEIR homeland…chirping away…sending out their boisterous communications, in search of a Spouse (or, whatever they were calling-out to!). As we had decided, we chose to maintain the original “wildness” of most of our land. Thus, in the words of a former acquaintance, we built our home in what he termed as a “frog pond.” Yep, we DID…and are forever grateful that we have maintained our original decisions.
The annual re-emergence of the thousands of frog voices chirping and singing the eminent arrival of the Spring season, is only ONE of the harbingers in our “swamp.” Each year we also anticipate the arrival, and possible nesting, of a pair of Wood-Ducks which we, believe it or not, have named “Daisy and Donald,” (get it?).
Of course, Springtime also has the arrival of several “not-so-appreciated” visitors: mosquitoes, wood bees, hornets, wasps, Starlings, storm and possible tornado warnings…etc. Yet, this, as all the above, constitutes the Inevitable.
SPRING IS JUST A NEST AWAY
As noted in a previous article, my wife, Carolyn, introduced me to the world of BIRDS early in our relationship. Naturally, this introduction has produced what may be termed as an “obsession” in myself. Throughout the years, the number of bird feeders on our property has grown from the initial placement of simply ONE in 1982, to presently more than 26 feeders! The types of nourishments offered to our feathery Friends range from simply Black-Oil Sunflower seed to peanuts, mealworms, several types of suet cakes, grape jelly, several types of nectars, and even leftover bread and popcorn.
As one may suppose, the number of feeders increases dramatically as Spring arrives with the return of Orioles (both Baltimore and Orchard varieties), the Hummingbirds, House Wrens, Catbirds, and MORE!
Naturally, the number of feathered Friends also includes all the many Cardinals, Bluejays, Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Crows and Ravens, etc., who brave the Winters with us.
However, Spring hastens the departure of Juncos until late the next Autumn.
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
Upon my destination arrival last Tuesday at my Studio/Office in Meadville, I began the extensive re-framing of Artwork to place throughout the halls, offices, and rooms of our regional hospital. Winter was OVER! Staff, patients, Friends and Families longed for the return of the new season. What better way to support and encourage Hope than the installation of more than 400 (yes, that’s correct!) Artworks noting the blossoms and warmth of the Spring?
As I began my newest installation, the FIRST piece I hung garnished a cherished comment from a staff member passing by. She remarked, “How wonderful! How beautiful! How appreciated!”
And…that’s what both Art and Springtime do: create Beauty, reduce stress, and underlie encouragement to proceed.
Later that same afternoon, I loaded my trusty SUV with framing materials, and a series of Artworks created by the students participating in my Art Classes at the Martin Luther King Mentoring Program held at the Meadville Middle School.
For the past few weeks, my students had been involved in the history presentation I supplied noting the early development of our beloved Conneaut Lake Park. Primary focus was placed upon the construction of the current Carousel building at the park, and the process of supplying the original animals to that Carousel. HOWEVER…my “lesson” also included the students’ active involvement in the revamping and sanding of several wooden pieces which I had carved years ago for another Carousel location.
NOT ONE of these students had EVER before held sandpaper in their hands…nor had previously “worked” upon wood. Yet, each and every one of them became totally involved in this process.
As the weeks progressed, students were supplied with the information of who was contracted to build the Carousel building (T.M. Harton, from Pittsburgh), where the animals were obtained (the Dentzel Co. in Germantown, PA), the year this took place(1915-17), and who the original carvers were.
Each student “Team” took notes, and from their notes produced a narrative.
MOREOVER, each Team was presented with a LARGE outline of one of the animals which originally populated the CLP Carousel until 1987. The teams were required to enhance their selection with vibrant colors!
The completed narratives were printed into decorative works, and the completed animals, along with the appropriate team narratives, were framed BY THE STUDENTS this past Tuesday afternoon.
These finished Artworks will be displayed at the program’s Year-End Celebration.
Every one of those remarkable students experienced a new GROWTH and UNDERSTANDING.
Each exercised previously untouched abilities to create incredible Artworks…which told a true story of our Region, its Beauty, and its Heritage.
Each of these remarkable students GREW…as if awakened.
Spring has once again sprung. NEW LIFE is upon us once again. HOPE is, once again, in our Future!
Sounds of laughter,
shades of life
Are ringing through my open ears
Inciting and inviting me
Limitless, undying love
Which shines around me
like a million suns
It calls me on and on
across the universe.
- JOHN LENNON
(Across the Universe)
