Spring has sprung

There are many signs that spring has sprung in central Texas. Most of you know that I am a fall/winter fan, but I can appreciate spring with the best of them. I think I would appreciate it more if we actually got to experience more than a few weeks of spring....we Texans are used to about a month of spring and then we are on to the sweltering sweatiness of the summer...until about November. ARGH! But, I digress....here are some of the signs that spring has officially sprung....

(1) the weather is more crazy that usual....the temperature is all over the place, wind gusts out of no where, potential hail, and the random deluge of rain are among us. Fingers crossed that we miss out on the eerie green sky that often means that a tornado is looming

(2) Backyard parties are sprouting up everywhere....last week we had a crawfish party, tonight is Wine & Washers, next weekend is our Flip Flop Fiesta, etc, etc. Never a dull moment around here, and with the arrival of spring we will have a new "excuse" for many a party. And, although "Round Table" season is actually year round, the spring is when we really take to the back yard at the Wheelers.

(3) Wildflowers are everywhere. Each year it seems to happen almost overnight, but the wildflowers are popping up everywhere. The highways are filled with them and it is always such a nice treat to delight in their beauty while you twiddle your thumbs while stuck in traffic (sorry for the rant - -I couldn't resist). The bluebonnets are my favorites and since they are the state flower of Texas, I thought I'd share with you (or remind you of) the Legend of the Bluebonnet.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

My name is She-Who-Is-Alone. I am a Comanche Indian who lived in Texas a long time ago. When I lived in Texas, only Indians lived here. They call me She-Who-Is-Alone because my parents and the rest of my family died. They died during the drought, when it did not rain for a long time. Texas is very hot in the summer. Without rain, the crops do not grow. Without food, many people get sick and die. The horses and buffalo need water also.

When the drought came, we prayed to the Great Spirits for help. The people played the drums and danced to ask for help. Our leaders prayed also. They said, "Great Spirit, your people are dying. We need rain to grow the berries. We need food so we are strong enough to hunt the buffalo. End this drought. Tell us what we must do so you will send the rain."

One of the leaders said that the Great Spirits wanted us to make a sacrifice. That meant that everyone had to give up their most valuable possession.

I went back to my tipi to think about what I should do. I only had one thing that I loved—it was my little doll. My doll was special because my grandmother made it for me. It was made from buffalo skin. The face was painted with the juice of berries. On its head were beautiful blue feathers from a bird. I did not want to lose my doll. It was the only thing I had left from my family.

I fell asleep in the tipi. When I woke up, it was dark. I knew what I had to do. I picked up my doll and crept out to the fire.

The night was very still. The air was hot. I kissed my doll and said, "O Great Spirit, here is my doll. It is the only thing I have. It is very special. Please send the rain." Then I thought about all of the people who would die without rain, and I threw my doll into the fire.

I watched the fire until it grew cold. Then, I scooped up some ashes and threw them to the Winds.

When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't believe what I saw. The hills were covered with beautiful blue flowers, the same color as my doll's feathers.

Everyone in the village saw the flowers. They knew they were a sign from the Great Spirit. Soon it started to rain and everyone danced. They even changed my name from "She-Who-Is-Alone" to "One-Who-Dearly-Loves-Her-People."

Every spring, the Great Spirit remembers my sacrifice and covers Texas with the beautiful blue flowers. The flowers are called bluebonnets.