Spring

In my part of the country, the seasonal change of spring is marked by a date on the calendar rather than the warming breezes of a new season. Longingly I have been checking my garden for a few sprigs of chives that might bravely peek their heads out of the cold pack of ground. No chives yet and I am sure they wisely know that winter might not be through with us yet. And, boy howdy, how right they are. This week we were slammed with a ferocious storm that virtually shut down our entire region. Even by our standards, this one was a doozy. Thunder clapped and lightning snapped as sleet sliced through the air. Skeletal trees were covered with an ice coating that made everyone shudder in sympathy. Wind howled and played the ice covered branches like out-of-tune xylophones. Chunks of trees and ice shards fell like shrapnel on houses, cars and streets. Walking was a hazardous endeavor with ice under foot and falling debris and sleet from above. Snow blanketed the wreckage with a deceiving quilt of white. Power lines snapped, crackled and popped as they struggled to stay in place. Thousands were without electricity as brave linesmen battled to restore the broken lines.

Once again I was amazed at the resiliency of most folks in this area. Not once did I see a fist raised toward the sky, the government or the power companies as folks battled the elements. The TV crews aired many stories of disaster and each interviewee told a story with essentially the same three elements: 1) This is what happened. 2) This is how we are facing the challenge and 3) It could have been worse.

One woman told about the loss of a huge tree in her back yard. With tears in her eyes she shared how many memories the tree held for her family over the years. She also shared that her husband was struggling, not because he just had back surgery, but because he couldn't help his neighbors clean up the debris. And then the punch line. “It could have been worse.”

A young man told about a large tree that gouged a gaping hole in his apartment building and knocked down nearby power lines. After checking on the well being of his neighbors he shared, “We’ll get this mess cleaned up and do what we can. At least the tree didn't rip the whole building in half and we are all safe.”

The emergency management team was activated and the spokesperson declared with confidence, “We are a state that knows how to handle this kind of disaster. We are prepared to meet the challenges of mother nature and will do what it takes to keep our citizens safe.” No weeping, wailing or hand wringing from this team. Pull up your boots and head into the wind.

A news reporter stood outside in the driving rain/sleet/snow and gave his latest weather update. “Roads are closed. Street crews are doing what they can to clear emergency routes. Travel is not advised unless absolutely necessary. And only one half of my body is coated with ice.”  That’s the spirit, young man. No namby pambies allowed. Citizens of this state know that the weather can change within minutes. We are not strangers to tornadoes, blizzards, ice, sleet, wind and wild temperature swings. We accept it and we prepare for it.

So, as I grieved the loss of huge chunks of our beloved front yard trees and grumbled about the addition of more school days at the end of a very long semester, I reminded myself that my flashlights were filled with fresh batteries, my cupboard had plenty of food and my thermos was always ready to go with hot coffee.

It could have been worse.

Here is a dessert that tastes like spring, even when the weather outside is frightful.

Strawberry Cream Dessert

Crust:

2 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. margarine, melted

Press into 9x13 pan.

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 c. powdered sugar

16 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 pkg (3 oz.) strawberry gelatin

1/2 c. boiling water

1 c. strawberry yogurt

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add 1 cup whipped topping. Spread over crust.

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Let cool for 10 minutes. Add yogurt and 2 cups whipped topping. Pour over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for one hour.

Top with remaining whipped topping.