Good morning... the past two days have been very refreshing when it comes to change. If you had an opportunity to be outdoors or go to church yesterday, you can absolutely feel the transition of seasons, both outside and in the sanctuary. For the past few weeks, we have all been exposed to true winter weather with cold temperatures and significant snowfall. We are tough and we are seasoned and we have been through this before. In spite of our experiences, this type of season and weather takes its toll on your energy level, mood and approach and attitude to your day. This influences the sphere of relationships around you. With our technology, in watching the 10 day forecast over the past few weeks, I would find myself anticipating when it would be above freezing. I am really tired of shoveling snow, day after day. I can shovel a day here and a day there, but day after day was getting old. This past Saturday afternoon, I dragged the ice fishing sled out back and slugged through the almost knee deep snow, out to my location on the bay. After drilling holes and setting up the Garmin, the crappies and gills were cooperative and almost seemed happy to see me. I think they sensed, I was not cleaning fish that day, so it was all catch and release. But with my pull over shack positioned 1/2 open, I witnessed the most beautiful sunset and overall enhancement of the environment around me that I had neglected to notice recently. I live just off Rt 30 and during the winter season, with the tree leaves gone, we can hear truck traffic at times. On this afternoon, while enjoying the sunset and noticing the breeze, I heard no trucks. All I heard were song birds, almost announcing the transition to warmer temperatures. One of the unique joys of ice fishing near spring is the focus on the sounds of the birds in the background. The promise of a more mild season with longer days and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors continues. Walking back to the house, I stopped from time to time, not only because I am getting too stinking old to trudge through this snow, but also to take in the symphony around me. I couldn't wait to share with my wife what I sensed. Yesterday at church, attendance was way up with most every other pew filled as it can be with these social distancing guidelines and the volume of voice during hymns and songs of praise was off the charts louder than the several previous Sunday's. You could easily sense the Spirit flowing and the camaraderie and fellowship returning amongst the Saints. After several good, responsible discussions, on the ride home, my son calls me and suggests we go fish the ditch. What a deal! I get home and simply have to change cloths and dress warm, grab a spinning rod with a jig/twister and he pulls up in the drive with boat in tow and off we go. After launching, we use the trolling motor and meander up and down the ditch and proceed to limit out on coho's and catch and release a couple of browns and steelies. Afterwards, I back the rig down and he puts the boat on the trailer and back home we go. We talked with several shore fisherpeople along the banks of the ditch and you could sense the Spirit of fellowship in the conversations. Back to telling stories and grateful to see each other dominated the talk. So, friends, opportunities are at the tips of our fingers and imaginations. It won't be long, we will put away the shovels and the augers and transition to a wonderful new season. I look so forward to what is next and with gratitude and anticipation, I hope you do also...
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