As Simon and Garfunkel sang in one of their songs, “April, come she will.” As my article is being written with February still in the rear-view mirror, and a “Welcome to March” sign looming ahead, it is hard to imagine what April will bring. I recently came across a meme that amusingly sums up the seasons in North Carolina. I have no idea whom to give credit for it, but I am including it for your enjoyment.

THE 12 SEASONS OF NORTH CAROLINA

WINTER

FOOL’S SPRING

SECOND WINTER

SPRING OF DECEPTION

THIRD WINTER

THE POLLENING

ACTUAL SPRING

SUMMER

HELL’S FRONT PORCH

FALSE FALL

SECOND SUMMER

ACTUAL FALL

The arrow when I recently saw this, was pointed to Spring of Deception. I am hoping that we are past Third Winter and are into, though I am not a fan, The Pollening. As wacky as the year has been, there is no real way of knowing. I mean, we start April being fooled.

A few days ago, I awoke to find that the temperature that day was going to be in the low 80s. I dressed accordingly and went out to find it actually was that warm. My grandson and I spent time in the yard enjoying the glorious day. Within an hour and a half, dark clouds swooped in and it was suddenly in the low 60s and still falling. Needless to say, outfit changes were made, and the heat was turned back on. It hasn’t been that warm since, but it made me look forward to the warmer months to come.

I am excited to spend time outside with my grands. We will go on beach walks, look for shells, build sand castles, go fishing off our dock, take boat rides, have picnics, swing on swings, maybe even get to the zoo and anything else that gets us outside in the sunshine and away from screens. My grands are anxious for there to be days in a row without rain, wind and cold. Bikes, scooters, riding toys, along with other playthings that have been locked inside, emerge from the garage and house only to go right back in. Yes, I am so ready for spring.

This year, we will celebrate Easter on the fourth of April. Once again, unfortunately, it will be different this year. I will still hold an Easter egg hunt for the four grandkids that live close by. We will still have a family luncheon, but this year will also include a celebration of our granddaughter, whose fifth birthday falls on Easter this year. Her party will be held the day before. The activities will all be held outdoors. A rainy day will result in a postponement, which is hard to explain to a five-year-old, so we will hope for one of those unusually warm and sunny, early April days.

I hope this spring finds everyone well. Also, that those who are eligible and want to get vaccinated have been able to do so. I look forward to spending more time with my out-of-town grands, sister and friends. I hope we will soon be able to get back to some semblance of normalcy. I recently came across this joke and wanted to share it with you in hopes that it would bring you a smile and giggle – a little sunshine if you will.

“A little girl was sitting next to her grandfather as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up and touch his wrinkled cheek. She touched her own cheek after she touched his. After a little while of thinking she asked, ‘Grandpa, did God make you?’ He looked at her and said, ‘Yes, sweetheart, God made me a long time ago,’ She paused for a few seconds and then asked, ‘Grandpa, did God make me, too?’ He replied, ‘Yes, indeed pumpkin, God made you just a little while ago.’ Feeling their respective faces again, she whispered to him, ‘God’s getting better at it, isn’t he?’” – Unknown