Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Spring Fever

A sure sign it is almost May at our house is the sun has moved out of my eyes when I try to watch the evening news on T.V.

April showers bring May flowers! I’ve heard that all my life, and probably recited it more than once. But no one ever told me that the first two week of April showers were going to be SNOW!! Finally, about the 15th or so when we had had a night without even a trace of snow, and the thermometer was above freezing for at least a few minutes we all began to think maybe it would be spring after all.

A few days of warm (relatively speaking) and signs of spring appeared: Snow berms shrunk; the crocuses came up under the snow piles shrinking away from the house; the streets were clear; I could see the house across the street. Altogether, signals almost as good as May flowers.

A sure sign it is almost May at our house is the sun has moved out of my eyes when I try to watch the evening news on T.V. (NO! I can’t move to another chair!) It takes about two weeks from the time it moves into the window until it is far enough along it does not bother me. It will be back in October.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The kids in the Village alerted me to paying attention to the sun. I had come from northern Idaho. The sun comes up, the sun goes down. Maybe someone notices it straight overhead at noon for some reason, otherwise, the sun’s position is irrelevant to life there. Not so up North, maybe because they don’t see it for quite awhile every year.

They all had clocks, and recognized that school started at 9 a.m., and the plane came in about 10:30. The store opened at 10, and Trapline Chatter came on the radio at 6:30 a.m. But they also abided by a more natural time line: The day the sun went behind the Hills across the river was time to start laying out the trapline; in the late summer, school would start soon when the sun began to set into the river.

The kids drew my attention one early spring day when the sunbeams finally came through the window. They just touched the bottom corner of the blackboard at 10 a.m. Next day a slightly larger area was lighted, so we began marking the 10 a.m. boundary. Great learning experience for the teacher. Also the kids because they bet on the date the board would be completely lighted. The winner got to plan lunch. I think we had turkey. (The school received “commodities” including turkeys, which the cook only prepared on holidays. We had extras.). And I learned to watch the sun for annual deadlines. Now I know not to drive to Soldotna in the early morning in the spring because of the sun in my eyes, or to return very late for the same reason.

And now May is here. No green leaves yet, and no daffodils for Mother’s Day, but the rhubarb is peeking up and we can round trip it to Anchorage in the daylight. All’s good!

More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.