Heard someone carrying on about how long this winter has been. Not only longer but colder than normal. Something called an Arctic bomb flew in on the jet winds and settled over our area last week extending winter yet another little while. Heavy snows trapped drivers in Colorado and Kansas and now homes are fl ooding up in Nebraska. Anyway, the “thing” and its high winds finally moved on bringing its own grief to the South in the way of tornadoes. But spring is, officially here. Now we can officially hope that the heavy frosts are gone and we can grow some green grass for grazing. It’s a lot cheaper than hay. And garden time?

I have been a so called “shut in” this winter. I’ve had to watch the world go by from a frosty window and believe me, that’s no fun. I remember a long time ago we had a preacher that was always worried about “shut-ins” and since I was an insensitive clod I didn’t relate. But I did get out this past Sunday and attended Sunday School and Church. It was great. I had thought the famed “Cemetery Class” would have fallen apart in my absence, but no--it is still going strong. A good crowd was there Sunday although our “main” teacher, Vernon Langley is still missing with a problem knee. Hope he will be back too and soon. Dr. Jim McDonald taught our class and in spite of some rowdy behavior he was able to do a good job with Mark. (That’s a book in the bible. not a classmate.)

It looks like the new Gym is coming together. I haven’t toured it lately but it is said to be very nice and I am anxious to watch my first game next year. Being right across the street from First Baptist Church I noted that our new Family Life Center and the Gym are being completed at about the same time. The two facilities sure give downtown Allen a facelift and I think will be complimentary to each other.

Speaking of facelifts, we have had a lot of cold dreary mornings these past several days in Allen. But not even a smattering of sunlight will help some of our problems. We have the same problems many small towns have in Oklahoma. We have taken on the looks of a rural slum. No, I am not speaking of the amount of “poor” housing, trailers, and the strange riggings of various types of structures. I am talking about the trash. It isn’t probable that the city is going to go around picking up all this trash that litters our ditches and streets. Hard freezes have left them plenty of potholes to worry with. But no, it’s going to take citizen’s efforts to help out. If all of us just walked around our property and picked up the litter that has accumulated, it would just take a few minutes and would get us on our way to a neater, healthier and better looking town.

Then there are “yard” cars. Many people don’t figure it’s anyone’s business what they stack out in their yards. But in this part of the world it seems many like to hang onto their old cars and just strew ‘em around in their yards. Makes it handy in case the cars ever “heal” themselves and start running again, or if we ever need their spare parts. And besides, does it hurt anything? Yes. It interferes with mowing, provide places for mosquitoes, snakes and other unwanted vermin. And nothing gives a neighborhood a more Haitian look. And if you’ve ever been to Haiti you know you sure don’t want that. And to close on this subject, it is illegal to abandon cars on your own lawn along streets and in alleys. So, any untagged car can be towed to the scrap yard.

Here’s to a better healthier town, a nice spring and happy days. And be sure and go to church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

waynebullard@sbcglobal.net