Spring arrives March 20th this year at 2:21pm in all four time zones in the northern hemisphere. I don’t know about you, but I’m chafing at the bit. I took a walk around Our Little Piece of Heaven this noon, and things are looking pretty good. The trees we planted last fall seem to have survived so far (knock the BOS’ wooden heads), Galena Creek looks healthy despite the trash I had to clean out that ended up there from all the litter on Rte. 52; the crocuses are blooming, and the irises and tulips are pushing up their green tips. I even saw a honey bee down by the creek. I wonder what that means.

I don’t know if George the Groundhog saw his shadow this year because we haven’t seen him in forever. Groundhogs have an average life span of 6 years, and George was pushing 7. I did check with the Artist George Krause. He says his shadow scares the living begeezus out him, so there you go.

Congratulations to Skeeter’s for making Rachel Ray’s list of the 64 best chilidogs in America! Heck, I could have told her that. In fact, I tried to tell the world last year. Check out my post entitled “I’ll Have One With Slaw.” (Use the Search Box on the lower right.) The eventual winner for the best dog in the South went to JS Pulliam Barbecue on Old Walkertown Road in Winston-Salem, and in the judges’ opinion, the best hotdog in America is sold at Gene & Jude’s in River Grove, Illinois. Course, we all know what they say about opinions. Besides, the pleasure of being served by Miz Elizabeth should have given Skeeter’s extra points in my book.

I stopped by to see Karen and Daryl Dennis last week at Fran’s Deli’s new location next to the Dollar General Store in Wythe Plaza on East Main. We almost lost Daryl last fall, and I can not tell you how happy I am to see the two of them back. Hands down they have the best deli sandwiches in SW Virginia. Daryl reports that he’s lost 20lbs so far but still has a long way to go. He’s also trying to quit smoking, so give him some well wishes and encouragement along with your order.

Finally, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors meets tomorrow morning at 9:00am. I plan to attend to see if I can get a kiss, because I always like to be kissed when I’m getting screwed. I urge all of you to attend and make your thoughts on the new hire and pay raises known.