Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wendy's World

I am absolutely certain that Easter - and therefore spring - is on its way. I didnt need a calendar and I havent felt it in my bones. Ive seen the irrefutable signs at Wal-Mart.

Im not so old that Ive ever depended solely on the signs of Nature to forecast the weather. My generation has grown up with television and radio and all the gadgets the weather folks need to make their best (if sometimes inaccurate) predictions.

Despite all that, we have an even better prediction of whats coming. Its called Wal-Mart.

Want to know how long until warmer weather will officially arrive? Take a look at the clearance racks. The long sleeves go on sale as the swim suits are coming out - and it all happens at the official point between the mid-winter blahs and the spring time promises of warmth and sunshine. The number of jackets still on the racks and the price of swimsuits are sure indication of how long until summer actually arrives.

If youre on a marathon shopping spree that keeps you in Wal-Mart for a couple of hours or more, you can tell if its started raining by the location of the umbrellas for sale rack. That rack moves mysteriously nearer the door as the moisture in the air increases.

I could have been living in a cave for the past twelve years, sealed off in darkness with no way to tell day from night, and Id still be able to tell the season with a quick look at the specialty aisle at Wal-Mart.

Right now, there are hearts, candy, flowers, teddy bears and balloons, all waiting to be taken home to that special sweetie as a Valentine offering. Theyre located conspicuously in the grocery department - perhaps not where youd expect to find them but theres information to be gleaned from this placement. It means that the holiday is still some time off. The fact that hearts and flowers are located at the end of the aisle nearest the front of the store indicates that it is the next major holiday on the horizon.

But if you look closer, near the other end of the aisle, youll see that the teddy bears are giving way to bunnies - a sure sign that Easter is not too far behind.

One must walk carefully along the aisle to see all the signs. Its rather like walking in a heavily wooded area searching for critters. One misplaced step and youll pass over a vital piece of information. Its important to take daily or weekly measurements of how far it is to the point at which bunnies take over. Thats a sure measurement of how long until Valentines Day is over and Easter stuff will take over the aisle.

And if you want to know what holiday just passed, look near the front of the store at the clearance buggies.

Even if you havent been near the television or radio, you can tell whether the forecasters are predicting sleet or snow with a quick look at the bread aisle. Theres nothing like an empty bread aisle to make me shiver.

So if youre like me - thoroughly sick of the cold and the threats of sleet - take a quick stroll down the specialty aisle and get a glimpse of the first promise of spring.