It's a corona conglomeration

As I sit here at the old Smith-Corona -- no relative of that corona-thing that is roaring through the world spreading every type of negative experience, not only for nations but especially for families and, yes, individuals -- this 'cuff was going to be a little more about legacies, those that have been, those that are being established, and how every day is a legacy unto itself.

But that corona-thing which is affecting the legacies being built, or in some cases destroyed, will in a short time fade away and reality can return. In the meantime, all you can hear on the tube is a mix-match of information that, as this is written, is at least developing some semblance of understanding. There are the self-appointed experts, those trying to explain and voice how to protect yourself, and then each listener puts it all in a big brown bag, shakes it up and tries to make sense of just what is or isn't going to happen. Patience. That is the perfect word that needs to be applied. Putting blame, arguing that nothing being done is right or that it was started too late is not helping the situation.

Just imagine the 300,000,000 (that's three hundred million people in the U.S.A.) all have differing and unexplainable answers to every problem or question. Arkansas' three million seem more relaxed, organized and realize it will take all to get through to the finish line. This is a new experience for America and, as such, mistakes may be made, but sincerity and persistence will overcome the problem and, if another corona occurs, our uncertainties will have provided many answers on how to solve many problems. Patience. It took a long time to conquer polio. And how about the common cold? The same answer may not work for everyone. Patience.

So, "give us a break!" Let's change direction. Isn't that the thought of everyone who has planted or is ready to plant a garden to grow those goodies we all enjoy during the spring, summer and autumn? And don't forget thinking about those goodies that have been canned or frozen for tasty treats during Old Man Winter's reign.

This climate change thing is getting to be a nuisance. Did you (this is written to the gardening group) plant those spuds on St. Pat's Day on March 17? Did that row of radishes get planted during a lull in one of those March wind gusts? Was the mud too deep on St. Pat's Day to drop those chunks of potatoes which had their eyes open ready to pop up? And the radishes; where is that row? It surely washed away in that heavy rain last Thursday. Will there be radishes 50 feet downstream? And that bed of crispy lettuce. Didn't all those tiny seeds congregate in two or three puddles of mud and, well, isn't it always planted too thick anyway? Won't a few wild plants make lettuce for sandwiches or how about good old wilted lettuce?

But, wait, what are those little black things that are on many of the streets? Would you believe it? A quick examination shows they are hundreds of little black seed balls from sweet gum trees that hung on all winter only to fall and be swept out of the ditches in the last heavy rain/wind time. I wasn't going to write again about those sweet gum balls but another wheelbarrow load just joined the five (maybe that's seven) loads gathered throughout the winter. My advice: Even though sweet gum trees are beautiful and provide good shade under which to place your hammock for summer relaxation, well, either don't plant one or later you will think all kinds of thoughts such as, "What in the devil was I thinking about?" That's it!

One other topic that deserves repeating even though I've promised time and time again not to repeat. But, here goes, "When your wipers are going, turn on those lights." That's all, folks!

Maybe next time we'll get around to legacy or legacies. 'Till then, don't hold your breath but give thanks that the roof is not leaking.

Dodie Evans is the former owner and long time editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Community on 03/25/2020