View From The Bridge 3/1/17

VIEW from the BRIDGE
By Muncie
3/1/17

MARCH
I always remember as a child in school to ‘Beware of the Ides of March.” I was always afraid of March 15th and I did not learn until later what it was all about.  Although nothing horrendous has happened to me on the 15th, it did to Julius Caesar.  He actually set up the Julian calendar and the 15th as the Ides not knowing that he would be killed on that day in 1798.

I checked the dictionary for the meaning of Ides and only found that Caesar made the 15th of March, May, July and October the Ides. The other months are on the 13th. BUT, what are Ides? I did some research and asked a few people who are smarter than a 5th grader and no one knows. It is like our Fort Benton High School song that says we will profit by your creed. Who remembers what the creed is?

For me, it cannot possibly mean anything, or should it? I am not superstitious but all I know is that on the 15th I am extra careful in everything I do as the ides might get me. (That is my joke of the week.)

As the temperature warms and the ground begins to thaw, earth worm’s casts begin to appear heralding the return of the robin. (Our robin appearance in the middle of February here in Fort Benton hopefully means an early spring.) The name of the Full Crow Moon comes from the sawing of the crows signaling the end of winter. (Now as I wait to hear from the readers of the View about the return of the meadowlark, I also would like to hear about the first sounds of the cawing of a crow.)

It is also called the Full Crust Moon because snow melt crusts during the day and freezes at night.

Another name is the Full Tapping Moon and is the time to tap maple trees for syrup. The final name alerted the settlers to the last full moon of winter and was called the Full Lenten Moon. (Take your pick but I like the Full Tapping Moon best and I am sure those pancakes do too.)

The full moon this month is on Sunday the 12th. Enjoy the Full Lenten Moon as it is the last full moon of winter.

ROBINS
I am backing up to the time I wrote about the first robin sighting. I also received a call about a sighting but the connection of phones was not good and I could not hear the name or phone number. Would that person, if they read this, please call me again? I would like to give you some credit too for what it is worth in the View.

THE TRIBUNE
Hey Jackie Campbell!  Did you see your name in the Great Falls Tribune on  Tuesday the 21st, in the Montana section “Across the Big Sky. They, whoever they is, referred to me as a journalist for the River Press. I have been called by that title several times and I am kind of getting used to it. It is better than a lot of other things I have been called. (This is my second joke of the week.)

THRILL OF THE  WEEK
The Regional Basketball Tournaments last week were nail biting, blood pressure upheaval, and nerve racking events. Talk about excitement and down to the last few seconds of play and it will keep us enjoying the memories  for weeks.

Our Girls did a fantastic job of it especially the win over Box Elder on Thursday afternoon. I really should not single out that game because all their games were AWESOME. I have been watching the Longhorns and Lady Longhorns for 23 years now and the excitement grows. I also hear from “Old Timers” about games years ago that have never been forgotten.

Just a little private side note that I want to mention. My grandson, Grayson Bonilla, moved to Helena when he was in the 2nd grade. There are 5 freshman girls on the team and 4 of those were his classmates when he went to Fort Benton Elementary.  I cannot believe that they are 15 years old now. Another shocker is they they are or already have started DRIVING LESSONS.

Another shocker for me is the fact that when Grayson turns 16, he will own a car.  Some of you will remember that story but for those of you who do not, here it is.

A fund raiser was held for his Mom, Audra Bonilla, and Grandpa Bonilla donated his ’53 Buick that Grayson called “The Watermelon.” It went from a raffle ticket to a man who was visiting from Germany. He gave it to the friend he was visiting to put in his Antique Car Shop in Rudyard for restoring and safe keeping until Grayson turned 16.  It will be too late for this year’s Summer Celebration Parade but  I expect it to be in next year. (He should be a really good driver by then.  I may even want to ride with him. (That is my 3rd joke of the week.)

LAUGHTER
I attended the last Cancer Support Group meeting at the Club House a couple of weeks ago. I was told that there would be lots of laughter because one of the members was going to entertain us with jokes. Not only did she tell us man jokes but she gave each of us a joke to read. It was great fun and spending an evening with all of these cancer survivors was a blessing for me. They are the bravest men and woman I have ever known. They are always smiling, laughing, and appreciate everything around them and their lives. If you are down, depressed, and unhappy you should spend a day with one of them. I know that you will never complain again.

Please support your Chouteau County Cancer Support Group. It is an organization that does everything for cancer patients. They are non-profit and raise all their own funds.  ll of the new patients are given a handmade quilt made by the busy fingers of the Quilting Guild or women who just make them because they love to do it. Thank goodness we have people like that in our community.

PONDERISMS
“Why does a round pizza come in a square box?”

AMERICAN FLAGS
Now you only have 3 months left to get your American Flag and hang it. Just do it!

I know that I am a nag about this subject but I feel strongly about it. A friend took me to lunch last week on a beautiful day that was warm and the sun was shining.  We cruised all the streets of Fort Benton and I saw only 1 GREEN LIGHT BULB in a porch light. The green bulbs are a show of support for our Troops. It is also a sign of your patriotism which is a sign of love of your country. I am absolutely positive that you all love our county so display it. Just do it!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR TROOPS, THOSE WHO PROTECT US and WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS.