The Newman-Crows Landing Drama Department put on a spectacular show these past two weekends. “Alice in Wonderland Jr”. was their third production since forming a few years ago and the growth in the program was very evident on and off stage.

I attended the final performance on Sunday afternoon. I really enjoyed it, and so did the audience which packed the house of the West Side Theatre. Their approval was evident by the timely laughter and rounds of applause throughout the musical play. It was a “feel-good” show, one that stayed with me even after I went home.

Mother Nature has once again been putting on a spectacular show and we on the West Side are privileged to have the best seats in the house.

I was driving home from Modesto Saturday on Carpenter Road. The pageantry of clouds I viewed from every direction was amazing. To the east was the most ominous set of dark gray clouds looking like they were ready to burst open at any moment to drench everything in their path.

Some couples make “happily ever after” seem so easy. They seem so confident and grounded in their relationship and to genuinely enjoy spending time together. They know how to laugh together and share life’s moments together.

Not like every day is a piece of cake. Plenty of serious stuff happens in every relationship but it is the attitude these couples have while dealing with those issues that makes their marriage stand out and keeps their bond strong.

So, we’ve reached the time of year when the “coziness” of winter is beginning to get old and the desire to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air is more appealing. I enjoy the homey features of winter like heating the house with a delicious roast slowly cooking in the oven all day, snuggling up with the afghan my grandmother made many moons ago, and discovering old sweaters to wear around the house.

Winter is fun, filled with family times and lots of home cooking. But it also leads to cabin fever, for me anyway. The longer I stay inside, the lazier I get, and the lazier I get, the more difficult it is to get moving. Fortunately, there is a lot to get out and enjoy around our towns.