It’s happened before and I suppose it will happen again. The spring season just can’t seem to get by the staying power of a lingering winter. I remember a spring (about 1952) over at Stonewall. I was at church and the topic was about hardships and sufferings. but the topic at the moment wasn’t what the Apostle Paul had said in 1 Peter. Paul spoke of the sufferings back in the days of the Old Testament. The group wasn’t really thinking about the Apostle Paul and for sure not given Hosea a passing thought.

Like most of us, their thoughts were on the local weather, which was cold and windy. One old guy shared what he had heard this morning on the radio program called “Farm Report.” “They said if the overnight ground temperature didn’t stay above 50F the grass simply wouldn’t grow.” All the guys listening nodded at the bad news. I suppose they knew about as much about it as I did. Not much. But one man spoke up: “It’s the Easter Spell.” All nodded wisely.

A week before a light snow had covered the grass in front of our home and I knew that wasn’t normal. I had helped Gene Winton and his sons in the previous fall move a small herd from out South of Stonewall to a pasture North of Tupelo. But that was in search of water. Now it was time for them to come home and graze on some new sweet grass. But the lingering cold of a stubborn winter was still in charge.

I suppose that in due time, the Sunday School class got onto their studies in the writings of Paul and I know for sure that Spring did soon arrive and the frets of that long ago Sunday in a small classroom in the Baptist Church in Stonewall have long been put aside, as will be our frets about this lingering bunch of cold fronts making us so uncomfortable last week. But don’t worry. The TV weather guys say it will soon be past. It will soon be warm. The green grass will resume its growth. And May, being just around the corner, means we will soon be enjoying the blessed wonders of Summer.

Speaking of summer and the fine times it brings, I want to congratulate Charles Henthorn on being reelected to our Allen Board of Trustees. He is a good guy, and I know he will do a great job looking after the well-being of our city. I think the reelection of an incumbent to a governing body is a favorable comment on just how all our town board is doing and thought of. This especially includes Mayor Brannan. So, I congratulate them and our hardworking employees in the way they keep our town going. It is quite a chore, even in a small town such as Allen to keep the water on, the sewer working and during this endless siege of wet weather, keep our streets patched. Then there is the endless work out at our large cemetery. While I’m at it let me say thanks to our Allen Police Department. They do a good job helping make Allen a good and safe place to live. The rash of fires and other emergencies show our continued need of a good fire department, so I thank them too for their dedicated service. Thanks guys.

Speaking of public servants, I was driving back from Tulsa the other night after taking my wife to the doctor. I finally made it home. Although my wife is very good at reading the speedometer on my car (aloud) to me as I carefully steer my way down the lonely dark highways (such as 48) she never tires of her chore. So it was with some surprise that I found myself alit with red lights at the county line.

“I thought you were going too fast” my ever-loving copilot said as I pulled over. It was Officer Armstrong. Nice, polite and professional, Armstrong informed me of my speed. “You weren’t very much over the line,” he said, “and I won’t ticket you but please try to obey the speed limit, Mr. Bullard.” Pat was probably hoping he would jail me, but he didn’t. In fact, I appreciate his looking after all of us here in Allen and you can be sure I am paying more attention to my speedometer and to Pat as I drive Oklahoma’s Highways. And I have for sure enjoyed hearing from readers this past week.

I hope all my readers enjoy our spring weather…which is bound to be nearly here….and that you can all go to church Sunday,

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com