Today and this week have been beautiful.  Lots of people have started their garden and have been working their yards.  Next week is not looking as good.  Does the early bird actually get the worm?  I think not if the early bird just gets wet worms and soggy grass. 

Of course I’m no expert about this.  I’ve seen and heard about the purple martins coming in already.  At least the scouts are here.  I know of one beautiful border collie that is excited about the martins.  He lives in Sibley and his owner has 4 different martin houses and gourds.  The Purple Martins come in droves to this beautiful haven for them.  Of course, Patch, the border collie, never has been able to catch one.  It’s fun to watch him play.  They fly at him and are able to dodge the catch.  Sometimes over a hundred Purple Martins are there to play this game. 

Thinking about it, one of the pleasures of life is just sitting outside and watching the martins come in.  You can do a lot of good thinking while you sit out in the cool evening watching the sun go down.  Watching the cows, birds, even the guys that are cutting and baling hay is relaxing.  I guess not so much for the guys that are working.  If you have plenty of martins you won’t even have the pesky mosquitoes. 

The smell of the fresh cut bermuda hay is also a great plus.  I guess I’m just spoiled for the country.  It’s time to catch the fish at the ponds or just try.  I think I will try to learn to fly fish this year.  Back in the 60’s, mom used a fly rod to catch catfish.  If I could do as well as she did, we won’t be hungry.  I sure do miss those days.  Well let’s get going because spring is almost here.  Good fishing.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal.)