A vibrant awakening

Spring showers, emerging flowers — the awakening and rebirth of a new year. Mother Nature kindly stretching days into evenings. Multi-colored birds offer cheerful choirs of song to announce a new nesting season. Buds slowly unfurling to blossoms. National past-time sports kicking off new seasons. Outdoor activities in towns bustling. Time to shrug off those winter doldrums and get to work. Plan spring and summer activities and home projects.

Ready the garden for soon to be planting. Clean up the lawn and flower beds. Check local farm stands for fresh home-grown asparagus.

Got to thank the Millerton American Legion and Dutchess County Long Rifles youth shooting team for offering the community great breakfast fare throughout the fall and winter months. Great food and friendly gatherings to relieve winter’s monotony.

Got to stay busy, take down my old, well-used fly rod for a thorough cleaning and inspection to provide a few cold-water fresh fish meals this spring. Same with my trusty turkey gun. I’ll try again this year to outsmart old Tom during nature’s busy May mornings, though Tom usually wins.

Time to pay my respects to those vets who have pre-deceased me at our local cemetery and ensure missing or tattered American flags are replaced. Our American Legion does this on a timely basis; I like to fill in after adverse weather and sadly some vandalism. If only the vandals knew the heroic exploits of many vets resting here. Respect our vets and first responders while they are living and thereafter.

God bless you readers and your families. A Happy Easter to you all. Remain safe and healthy and look after those needing a helping hand. Til next time.

Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851 in North Canaan, Conn.