Spring is BACK!!!!

We've been enjoyed some glorious weather with temperatures between 60 and 80 since last Thursday. Of course, it makes my thoughts turn to the garden.

Yesterday we went to the Home and Garden Show at the West Plains Civic Center. It was a good show but I thought there were a lot fewer exhibitors there than last year. I was looking for the fellow who sold hand-forged rakes and other garden tools, the woman with the wonderful honeys and a few other crafters but they were not there.

We did pick up more information from the Missouri Department of Conservation which is always good reading.

On Saturday, we packed the dogs in the car and took a drive into Shannon County to find and photograph Alley Springs Mill. What a pretty site. All of these spring sites along the Missouri River Ways are not only scenic but each offers picnic and camping opportunities, too.

Nearby Eminence was also interesting to visit. The economy of the town centers around the Jack's Fork river with rental cottages, float trips and canoe rental places lining the main street. Since it's only March one would expect things to be fairly quiet but the beautiful weather brought out lots of lookers just like us. Too bad so many of the seasonal stores were't open. They would have had a banner day.

Just Another Sunday

Keith was right - the sun is shining today and the snow is starting to melt. There's still about a one-foot drift running through the dog's yard but lots of bare patches, too.

I think I'm coming down with something. I feel achy and am coughing. I haven't had even a cold since we moved down here so hope this doesn't turn into an inconvenience. I DID get to bed early but watched some back episodes of "Lie to Me" and "Medium" on Hulu. At one point I got up and when I came back in the bedroom, the dogs had taken over my side of the bed. I wound up sleeping in the downstairs bedroom which was very chilly. Covered up with a couple of quilts and pretty soon my "bed warmers" had joined me downstairs.

This afternoon we made a trip out to Walgreen and WalMart. We were out of "Chicken Tenders" and they are about 50% less expensive at Walgreens than at WalMart. The only problem is, they run out of them very quickly. The store manager told me they would have a delivery on Saturday afternoon. I bought six bags. That ought to last us a while.

Word on the street is that the city of West Plains and Lowes have come to an agreement on a TIF and CID. Construction of the Lowes is supposed to begin this summer with an opening in December. Folks here have been driving the 40 miles to Mountain Home, Arkansas to shop in the Lowes store there.

Having a Lowes store is a big deal in the podunk town. It will mean 20 or 30 jobs, even if they aren't great jobs. It will also mean the local stores will loose their monopoly on appliances and other home products. The closest thing we have now is a True Value store in Willow Springs. We are regular customers there.

It's left over chili for dinner tonight. I'm still feeling rocky and look forward to getting back in bed.