On Tuesday, the temperature in Keene clawed its way into the 50s; on Wednesday, it cowered in the 30s, and the sometimes-springy, now-rainy weather has been all over the meteorological map ever since. Is it any surprise I’ve been fighting a cold all week, my voice growing raspy and threatening to give out entirely when I’ve lectured, and a persistent cough occasionally interrupting sleep?
So much depends upon a stack of red and green wheel-barrows linked and locked outside the local Wal-Mart, beside the red and yellow lawn-mowers. During a week when spring seemed indecisive–a season when new bicycles line up beside still-necessary stacks of firewood–folks in Keene need a tangible, persisting reminder that spring, green yards, and bountiful gardens will happen, eventually.
And indeed, as I stopped to snap these pictures the other night, a passing man paused to look longingly at the lawn-mowers, their sleek and shiny forms pointing to the promise of dry, warmer days when grass grows and weeds flourish. Even in early April, it doesn’t always feel like spring, but a soul can look upon a wheel-barrow and dream.
Apr 5, 2008 at 8:17 am
This can be a tough time of year – like having a crush on a fickle or ambivalent person. But I thought you liked me…! Wishing you a strong immune system. And Nyquil.
Apr 6, 2008 at 8:08 am
It’s strange how changing times, and attitudes (meaning my own) can change perception. I like the photo of the row of yellow tractors, but my dominant thought when viewing them is that I’m seeing a bunch of completely useless things are waiting to drain someone’s wallet, and burn fossil fuel.
Apr 6, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I laughed aloud at your title — paired with the photo.