Spring has sprung, the grass has ris’, I wonder where my baby is?

Most likely outside playing in the dirt, exercising her dirty (not green) thumb. As I write this she is meeting with Redmond Garden Club folks planning their annual plant and garden stuff sale.

This fundraising event helps promote gardening in general, and usually schools in particular. Last year, for instance, one school received several hundred dollars to develop a garden grown hydroponically.

We have just returned from a quick trip to Salem to visit relatives and to “oooh” and “ahhhh” over the flowering trees, shrubs and flowers. Yes, we have some signs of blossoms now, but the Willamette Valley is, as usual, several weeks ahead of us here on the High Desert.

We found plenty of blooms, but what makes those blooms was even more in abundance. No, not sunshine, I’m talking about rain. I had almost forgotten how much and how long it can rain over the hill.

There is an old saying that spring makes a young man’s fancy turn to — and here we used to fill in “baseball.” If sunshine returns to Central Oregon soon, we should see boys playing baseball, girls playing softball and both playing golf and tennis or running, jumping, throwing at track meets.

With two high schools in Redmond and three in Bend, you can probably find someone you know watching their child or grandchild participating in one of these spring rituals. And the entertainment you see is the best deal in town!

Speaking of spring rituals, we will soon be hearing about graduation ceremonies. Several years ago I attended a grandson’s graduation held at the fairgrounds. What a great facility to be able to hold so many viewers and graduates. A real treat, just as it is to watch equine and other events in the indoor arena.

Well, before you know it, Central Oregon will be abloom as it is now in the valley. The seasons march along and before you can say “hay fever,” it will be summer, with lots to do outdoors.

The county fairs in Prineville, Madras and here in Redmond will be rootin’ and tootin’ and otherwise carrying on.

The cycle of Central Oregon life goes on. And I must say, ain’t it grand?

— Miles Hutchins is a retired Redmond resident who grew up in Central Oregon. Contact him at milesredmond@gmail.com