The Aside Bar - Notes from the Editor

The old saying is that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but it seems to be applying very much to February.

If I'd been writing this during the early part of the month, I could have said "from snowy San Antonio," which is a bit unheard of in these parts. The winter has been harsh and gardeners are facing the effects of continued freezing temperatures. However, cutting back the dead bits uncovers small mounds of green -- hope for a Spring to come.

Likewise, we've seen thousands of Egyptians (and peoples of other countries in the region) coming together to protest peacefully for changes in the way their countries are governed. Anger has given way to hope for a new tomorrow -- and inspiration to others. Feeling ownership once again of their homeland, protesters who tore apart sidewalks are now putting them back together, sweeping the streets and picking up trash.

On the drive home the other night, I heard a story on NPR about British townspeople protesting the closing of their public libraries. One group went so far as to check out every single book in their local library! The worry is that if they close now, they won't ever re-open. I hope the protests are as successful as those in Egypt, but it sounds as if everyone is open to creative solutions.

While I hope that one day the news libraries that have closed during these terrible economic times will reopen, I also realize that our world has changed. Those of us who have managed to survive what has been a long "winter" have fought difficult battles, do more than we probably thought possible, are discovering new applications for our skills and are finding creative solutions to new problems.

Here's hoping we all flower with the coming warmth of Spring.

--Julie Domel