Odysseuse on the Move

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Dark April

Columbine, then; Virginia Tech, now. Two massacres of the innocents occurred in Aprils far removed from the antic April of the previous post. Sorrow has no words, only tears, broken hearts, and prayers for the souls of the dead.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Antic April

kaleidoscopic variegated rapidly changing and whirling patterns, colors, scenes

April begins by making fools of us on its first day and then continues on its kaleidoscopic whirl throughout its allotted thirty days. There is no other month that brings us so many changes. It is a most remarkable month.

Early Spring blossoms may be festooned with snow before being rinsed with April showers; birds, returning on time from the South, may find an inhospitably cold greeting. Humans may complain of blizzards, ice storms, thunderstorms, and worse - and wish each other Merry Christmas with tongues in cheeks. They may say that this April is a strange one. Not true: it's a normal April.

Let's look at this April through a kaleidoscope. There is tax season to be endured, yes, but two of the world's great religions hold celebrations this month about tragic events that ended in everlasting joy for mankind. Worshippers gather in churches and synagogues and feel saved and renewed. There are feasts. There are Easter Bunnies hiding brightly colored eggs to be sought and found; there are Easter baskets full of egg-shaped chocolates and other candies. The religious calendar varies from year to year, but April is the chosen month.

There are still two weeks left in April 2007. Our favorite outdoor sports have begun. Players and spectators rejoice. Some days are mellow and hold out hope for true Spring's beginnings. Just keep your jackets handy!