Easter odyssey
Phil Taunton
Friday, April 13, 2007
Much has been said about the cold snap and wet weather that arrived last weekend and has held me prisoner all week.
I can’t ever remember it being so cold during an Easter observance.
Me and all the brass monkeys I know were totally aghast considering the weather’s quick turnaround from the bluebird days we had experienced.
We had the makings of a most beautiful spring. Nature’s artistic touch and glamour was bringing the seasonal magic back to our flowering trees, shrubs and early blooming bulbs. Bees were pollinating, the white bass were beginning their annual spawning run up the rivers, the purple martins had returned and I was bringing fresh asparagus to the table from the garden.
All’s for naught now. Things turned ugly overnight.
But being an eternal optimist, I’m looking forward to spring’s second coming. I am sure the martins will return. It will be interesting to see if the bluebirds now with eggs will bring off a successful clutch at the golf course and, likewise, will the eggs of the house finch that the pair now tend in an old robin’s nest built in a wreath on our front porch hatch?
One plus is the lakes, ponds and reservoirs across the state are gaining some respectable water once again.
Last weekend, when cold weather with the possibility of light rain and snow was predicted, I nixed our annual stay at the lake and came up with Plan B.
Wifeus just loves it when I do that. She appreciates the challenge; I know she does, even if she has never told me so. A smile and that little shake of her head means so much to me after all these years!
And besides, it is my responsibility this late in life to keep her on her toes and her mind active.
Instead of the youngest coming home on Friday, I decided I wanted to pay Tiffany a visit and see how all the plants and trees were doing around her country home just outside of Ottawa. At first, Wifeus was against it because our oldest, her husband and our grandkids would be in Emporia early Saturday.
Decisions, decisions, but the mere mention of eating ribs at Williamsburg changed Myrna’s mind. The old saying “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” works both ways!
Saturday morning found me and my new hunting and fishing partner, Mark, heading toward the marina at Melvern. With a promise I wouldn’t be late for dinner, Wifeus and the youngest went their merry way.
I had heard crappie were being caught off the boat slips and the heated dock and wanted to see for myself, but the thought of turkeys and driving through the Melvern Public Hunting Area changed my mind.
A fellow can never do enough scouting, so we headed west before we got to the marina. And yes, they ARE still catching crappie off the heated dock at Melvern.
Turkeys, and especially solitary Toms, “looking for love” were everywhere. Since the regular turkey shotgunning season started Wednesday and I am on two weeks vacation, I hope to have a story for you next week.
Our travels took us through the Melvern Wildlife Area and to the low water bridge north of Reading, where we talked to a couple of fishermen who were not having any luck but were enjoying the day just the same. A reported 35-pound yellow cat caught on a wad of nightcrawlers came from those very waters this past week. And channel cats are gulping down shad sides. Yuck!
After giving a token hello to the cabin on the City Lake at Council Grove, Mark and I met up with Brent Konen, the Council Grove Wildlife Area manager, over at the Reservior and saw what a successful youth turkey hunting program he, the kids and his group of volunteers just had.
The young hunters were provided an opportunity to pattern their shotguns and scout for turkeys the evening before. On Saturday, the 13 kids had just completed their hunt when we arrived, and eight of them successfully harvested a gobbler.
All had big smiles and were appreciative of their opportunity. A big Camo Outdoor Tip of the Hat to Brent and all who made this happen.
On the way back to Emporia, Mark and I just had to stop in Allen for the North Lyon County Youth Association’s 8th Annual Catfish and Chicken Fry. My tongue was smacking my lips silly at the very thought of all the catfish and chicken fingers I could eat for a mere donation.
The sacrifices I make for such great causes.
The NLCYA is a non-profit, private organization that serves families through childcare, preschool and youth recreation activities. And thank you Charles and Christine Wallace of Wallace Fish Farm for a great dinner and supporting such a worthy cause.
Later that afternoon, all the family met at the house, shared stories and strawberry shortcake. What a wonderful Easter we had, despite the weather!