THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS

Thursday, October 18, 2007

They are back. The snow birds have returned to the Valley of the Sun.

Every year at the same time, the migration begins, 130 to 150,000. They leave their snow shovels, tire chains, gloves and earmuffs and head Southwest where the sun is shining and the birds are singing.

The freeways are fuller and the driving is slower. The lines are longer for the "early bird" special. The matinees are crowded. Some churches in the East valley grow by 200 or more for six months. When the "Boys of Spring" return, every stadium in the valley will be filled with white heads, bald heads and capped heads.

Ah yes, it good to have them back. They bring wisdom, money, funny, sunny, sour, and every philosophy under the sun. What would we do without them?