It was a long winter. I think that says it all. One grew awfully tired of cold and of trying to trudge through ice and snow. Especially nasty for old guys who, should they slip, don’t bounce as well as they once did. But spring is finally here.
It’s time to go down to the local hardware store and buy a kite and string. Here is a chance to spend some quality time in spring’s sunshine with your son, daughter or grandchild away from their latest electronic gadget. Kite flying is an honored tradition. There is challenge and reward as you try to fly. First, you have to get the kite in the air. This is not always a sure thing, particularly if you and your youngster put the kite together in the basement.
Don’t forget the tail, made up of small narrow pieces of cloth totaling about four to six feet long depending on the wind. Watch out for power lines and Charley Brown’s kite eating tree. Good luck with your adventure.
Early spring is also the time to dig out the tackle box and think about upcoming stream or lake fishing, from a boat or walking a trout stream. Out on the stream in the morning catching a few trout for a riverside grill with sliced potatoes and onions, it doesn’t get any better than that, particularly if you had an early breakfast.
Another fishing adventure begins with renting a cabin, boat and motor. Get up early in the morning, putt-putt your way to the nearest island, anchor offshore and watch the sun come up turning the lake from black to blue. Start casting and hope for a walleye dinner that evening.
Spring is also the time to find your glove and baseball and enjoy a game of catch in your backyard or park with your baseball buddy. All manner of things can be discussed and problems solved. And in addition, catch is preparing for summer baseball and is therefore constructive.
All of the previous spring activities have been active. But here is an opportunity to have someone else do the work. April 16 and 17 and subsequent weekends this spring, Mystery Cave is open for touring. Come and enjoy a fun and educational tour. If you do, please say hello.
Another positive regarding spring is that the Minnesota Gopher basketball team and the Timberwolves and Wild are no longer playing and losing. Not to mention the Vikings, who were done three months ago.
The Minnesota Wild are fast approaching the status of the Timberwolves and their attendance is reflecting that. This year is the first that the Xcel Center has not been sold out for a Wild game.
The Timberwolves are continuing down their losing path. Believe me, they have not found the yellow brick road; I see no map, and the Emerald City is far far away. It must be extremely frustrating for a Timberwolves fan to see no improvement year after year, to see all the high draft picks on the roster and their continuing inability to win. But perhaps most upsetting to fans is watching their acceptance of losing along with the lack of hustle and defense.
The fifth year after the Kevin Garnett trade and the second year of coach Kurt Rambis, the Timberwolves show little improvement. Why? Some would say the answer is that they don’t play hard. It appears the Timberwolves are not motivated. What motivates a professional basketball player? Mostly it is competitiveness, pride and self-worth. But if that doesn’t do it, the coach needs to inspire motivation through any means at his disposal. Rambis doesn’t seem able to do that. Do the Timberwolves need a new coach? Might work.
However, there are more important things than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Spring is here!
