By James Gardner

Clark County Public Library

It’s happening, everyone. March 20 means the beginning of spring, but already the days are getting a little longer and the sun seems to be shining a little brighter. There’s even a little bit of a breeze.

Wait! Is the wind picking up? How much wind are we supposed to get? Are the trees going to fall?

Okay. Breathe. Just a little breeze outside. Spring is coming. The weather is warming up.

But what’s the weather going to be tomorrow? Are we getting snow? I’ve got to get break and milk. Is the store still open? Do we still have power.

Sorry about that, but it’s been a crazy month weather-wise, and right now, I’m looking at the changing of the season with cautious optimism (very cautious optimism).

Nevertheless, I can feel the coming of spring in my bones or do my bones sense a rainstorm coming? Never mind that. I must think positively about all the activities that signal the steady, inevitable coming of spring among the community.

One such activity is, of course, the library’s seed program. For those that haven’t gotten their seeds yet, there’s still time to get yourself a bag of vegetable seeds, flower and herb seeds, or both. Your next bumper crop could begin with a visit to the library, and we also have a lot of books like “Garden Wisdom & Know-How: Everything You Need to Know to Plant, Grow and Harvest” (635 Gard) that can help your garden despite good old Kentucky weather.

Some might want to get out in their gardens, but some might just want to get out. Now is the time to take a walk through, say, Legacy Grove or go for a hike and savor the natural beauty highlighted by spring. The library has guides for hiking all of Kentucky’s best-known trails in Daniel Boone National Forest (“Day Hiking the Daniel Boone National Forest” found in K 796.52 Moll) to some of Kentucky’s most scenic waterfalls (“Hiking Waterfalls: Kentucky” found in K 796.51 Moll).

Some (not necessarily me) might ask, why walk when you can run? If you’re just getting into running, you can check out “The 30-Minute Runner: Smart Training for Busy Beginners” (796.42 Lark), or if this is the year you run that marathon (or half-marathon), check out “The Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half-Marathon Training” (796.4252 VanA).

Regardless of what you like to do outside, it’s time to get out there and enjoy all spring has to offer. Just be sure to check the weather first.

Upcoming events

This week’s Kentucky Picture Show, showing March 22 at 2 p.m., features Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman), whose wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep), is leaving him and their young son, Billy (Justin Henry). Forced to raise his son alone, Ted loses his job as an advertising executive but gains a stronger relationship with his son. When Joanna returns to claim custody of Billy, the ensuing court battle takes a toll on everyone concerned.

And don’t forget this month’s Kentucky Picture Show at Night. Beginning at 6 p.m. on March 22, this month’s movie, written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, is a poignant and tumultuous coming-of-age tale about a boy living in Belfast, Ireland during the 1960s. Though Ireland is turned upside down by war and social change, young Buddy (Jude Hill), along with his high-spirited family, find love and laughter in this feel-good story.

Come to the library on Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. to explore Neurographic Art with Jackie Crouch. Neurography is a meditative drawing process that combines psychology and art. The technique is said to link your conscious and subconscious mind and create new neural pathways. The creative drawing process can help to reduce stress and create an overall sense of well-being. It is easy and your personal creation. There is no wrong or right way. Only rule is that the lines go to the edge of the page. Call the library at 744-5661 to register.