Among golf, social activities, medical appointments, and family time, this month has been pretty uneventful for us with a couple of exceptions.

First, early in the month, the United Methodist Women at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church have a HUGE garage sale, usually netting just under $20,000 for various charities in the area. Kay is actively involved in the sale, both in its preparation and its execution. This year, Kay and I made apricot fried pies for the sale, and all were sold before the sale actually began!

Rolling and cutting dough for fried pies

Kay and finished fried pies

Iced apricot fried pies 

Second, we visited longtime friends and hosts Ed and Linda Richmond for a couple of days of visiting, eating, and fishing at Five Lakes Outing Club, an historic, private sportsman’s club in eastern Arkansas. We were joined by John and Sandra Simank, and Dave Tefeteller. This group, without Linda, canoed, camped, and fished in Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, for 10 years. Ed, John, and I have been fishing together almost 25 years, and have cherished memories of our times together. The fish at Five Lakes did not cooperate for me, as only a few took a popping bug or bream killer. John and Dave did quite well. One morning Linda and I had a great time chasing birds and butterflies. The visit was a wonderful reunion.

Brushy Lake at Five Lakes at sunrise

Five Lakes Outing Club is over 100 years old

Dear friend and longtime fishing partner, Ed Richmond

In addition to our everyday activities, a few racks of ribs managed to get smoked over the course of the month, Kay spent some quality time with Ridge, and Kay and I babysat he and Aker in Maumelle for a few days.

Two racks of ribs seasoned for the smoker

Starting the “fire”

Three racks starting to smoke

Temperatures this month remained cold/cool for the first couple of weeks, delaying our traditionally smooth transition into spring. We used this time to fulfill medical appointments, etc. Typically, April is the prime month for just about everything having to do with the out-of-doors—trees begin leafing, dogwoods bloom, birds are in full migration mode, hummingbirds arrive, butterflies begin to appear, and fish, particularly bream, begin their first of several spawns, all about mid-month. Abruptly, the last week or so of the month reflected warm/hot temperatures, speeding nature’s usual processes.

Sunrise in the Village

These warm temperature patterns caused an unusual phenomenon as hundreds of Baltimore Orioles descended on feeders in Hot Springs Village; normally, we get only a couple transients. Those who feed birds were buying oranges by the bags and grape jelly two or three jars at a time. These colorful birds provided great photo opportunities. But, just as quickly as they came, they left! The Pine Siskins essentially disappeared late in the month as well, but hummingbird “scouts” arrived to check if feeders were in place.

Butterflies also began to emerge, with Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Zebra Swallowtails in abundance.

Because of the rapid change in temperatures, fishing was a bit off, though a few did surrender to a chartreuse popping bug. Also, the warm weather was suitable for bicycling and I did two rides with the Ageless Bicycle Club in the Village. Incidentally, I was able to fit in about 20 rounds of golf!

A few fish succumbed  to a popping bug

Ageless Bicycle Club at Clinton Library

Kay, meanwhile, kept up with a busy schedule of board and club meetings, church activities, and golf. How she does it is beyond me.