So, whats new today? Well, nothing that I can think of at this very minute, but we do know that no matter where one is travelling these days up at the higher altitudes, Mr. Winter continues to raise havoc with Mother Natures plans for us that include some nice warm, sunny days without some wild wind or snow showers to dampen our spirits.
Although, we need to remember that we need showers no matter whether they are snow or rain, and I worry about our friends over in west Dolores County and their potential drought worries. There is no breed as strong-hearted as a farmer and his family. They just do not give up.
Did you celebrate May Day? I remember when, if possible, the school (mine was out in the country) would remember that it is a happy day, and I remember when some community member in our area put up a maypole and we danced and ran around the pole with our ribbons (attached to the top of the pole) weaving the ribbons all the way down the pole, laughing all the while. I am sure that there are some of you out there who attended a country school and quite possibly someone you may know is still attending a school like mine, but with the consolidation of schools, there arent too many around anymore.
Our state, county health nurses, the media, etc., are warning us about the sometimes deadly hantavirus respiratory disease carried by deer mice. To identify, they are brown on top and white underneath with very large ears. If you are cleaning and sweeping as you do the spring cleaning, be aware. Sheds, wood piles and garages, for example, need to be sprayed with a mixture of bleach and water; let dry and then do your duties. Wear disposable gloves. Death occurs nearly 50 percent, and symptoms begin with a high fever, severe body aches, headaches and vomiting from one to six weeks after being exposed.
There is a family who got the jump on fishing the Dolores River a couple of weeks ago. Mom took the kids up the river to a couple of good holes, and all the while, the snow flurries were freezing the night crawlers (no, not really). Oh yes! It was definitely snowing and they got skunked, but they wanted to fish before the river started to rise from melt-off and then they would have to wait until at least June to wet a line.
Our own midwife, Rebecca Pugh, was featured in the Telluride Watch a couple of weeks ago. Her professional business name is Mountain Birth. She is very successful. Midwifery is a popular, honored practice. We have several mothers who have used Rebecca as the midwife, and, as a matter-of-fact, over the past 20 years, birthing at home in Rico has produced some beautiful, happy babies! So we wish to say Happy Mothers Day to all of you dear mothers, young and old! You all do know that another name for love is Mother. Also, there is a song with lyrics that go like this: Love is natures way of giving a reason to be living. And it goes on.
Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Womens Club and Rico Historical Society.