It was five years ago that I wrote the first Warm Thoughts column over a cup of tea. I can remember the moment as if it happened yesterday. The first day of spring in 1993 was a beautiful springy day. Surprise, surprise! On Sunday morning, following that first day of spring, I awoke to a winter wonderland and a real South Dakota prairie blizzard. However, my pioneer spirit urged me to go to church that morning. Surprise, surprise! I was the only parishioner in church that morning. I was not aware that weather conditions were that severe to call off church services. What a lonely feeling. I later joked that the pastor went through the entire message and even shook my hand as I left the services! That afternoon, as the north winds blew and the snow covered the plains, I sat down at my old typewriter and typed the very first column of Warm Thoughts as I sipped a cup of tea. And I had many warm feelings as I appreciated a warm and safe home as the winds blew.