Peeping through my Venetian blind, past my little cottage garden, I saw a world in bloom. Of particular beauty were the clusters of purple wisteria, hanging from the gazebo next to Covington Hall. They put me in mind of the old wisteria vines, growing over Sunnyside, Washington Irving’s home along the Hudson River in New York State. There is beauty everywhere!

Miss Cora and I were having tea the other day and fell to telling what we could.

We both enjoy eating at the Surly Mermaid on the Golden Square; so we were pleased to learn that the little restaurant may be opening Sundays between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m..

This Sunday, April 3, is the opening date.

Some of the dishes offered are as follows: eggs Benedict, Monte Cristo, French toast, omelets, croissants, waffles, chef salad, Cobb salad, fruit salad, chicken salad, BLT, grilled cheese, and sides (cheese grits and hash browns).

Gentle Reader, would you say March went out like a lion or a lamb?

Did you pull any April’s Fool tricks Friday?

Seen out and about were Jim Walker, who is preaching at River Falls Baptist; John and Gayle Weaver, Susan Theus, Willie Ray Lee, and young William Alverson.

The Portly Gentleman told me that he was a guest for Easter dinner in the home of Irene (Davis) Butler.

Other guests were Irene’s two sons, Rhett Butler with his wife Lynn, and Dr. Rex Butler; Rhett and Lynn’s son Ashley with his wife Kate and their little sons, Carson and Grady; and Rex’s son Allen and daughter Rexanne.

The Rex Butler family planned to motor to Atlanta Sunday afternoon and then to Orlando to visit Disney World.

Irene is known for her cornucopian buffets. Her buffet Sunday included the following: chicken tenders, ham, smoked salmon (a gift from Dr. Butler), chicken and dressing, cabbage, fried okra (a favorite of Ashley’s), “mac” and cheese, Watergate salad, corn salad, boiled eggs, cranberry sauce, yellow rice, biscuits, fried bread, cocoanut pie, tea, and coffee.

As I was looking through my blind this week, I saw over the way “Clydie” Clump, lying in a lush stand of clover, some red, some yellow, some white. I could hardly wait as a child for the clover to come up in the spring so that I could do the same as Clydie.

Once again, I ask the citizens of Andalusia to join the Covington Historical Society and pay its annual dues of $25 to help preserve the history of our county, whether you attend meetings or not. Mail to P.O. Box 1582, Andalusia, Alabama 36420.

Congratulations to Judy Buck who identified the mysterian, the member of the Andalusia High School Class of 1926, still living. The honorary member is Joe Wingard, who helped preserve the class history and organize their reunion.

The new mysterian had three legs.

Recent birthdays are those of Joseph Haydn, the Austrian composer, and Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer of fairy tales, such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Match Girl,” and “The Princess and the Pea.”

Now, Gentle Reader, allow me to join Buffalo Bob Smith in encouraging each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend, Lord willing.

Fare thee well.