The ground hog came out to make his predictions; hearts, candy and flowers given; Mardi Gras beads thrown; President’s Day honored; and Leap Year celebrated. February ended and March began. I have my own take on the saying of March; ‘it comes marching in like a lion and leaves meek as a lamb’.
For some, March is just the tail end of winter and the beginning of spring. Of course it depends on where you reside as although spring will begin March 20th; one of the March offerings.
Many look at this month as just the last month of winter; a month of anticipation for warmer weather, birds to return north and longer days. A few years ago, I penned a poem about just what the month of March has to offer. There are many things to look forward to this month besides the end of winter.
For the Irish (and those who are Irish for one day a year), St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated. Although it is on a Thursday, many places will have parades the week prior and parties held. Beer will flow; Irish whiskey consumed; corn beef or ham, cabbage and potatoes eaten or perhaps a nice Irish stew with soda or Sheppard’s Pie. Green, the color of the day, worn by one and all.
The Boys of Summer are in the throes of spring training in Florida and Arizona. While a few of the lucky take in a game, sports fans will flock to their favorite sports pub and bar to catch March Madness.
Easter is the last weekend of the month. Children look forward to egg hunts and the arrival of Peter Cottontail who will bring a basket full of delights. Stores begun their candy sales the day after Valentine’s Day. No doubt many have already consumed a few jelly beans, crème or peanut butter eggs.
What else happens this month:
a. Women’s History month is celebrated.
b. It is the birthday month of two veteran’s organizations; The American Legion and La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Forty and Eight)
c. Spring Break time
d. We turn our clocks ahead one hour. Days will be longer and our nights shorter.
March, it sure does keep us ‘marching along’ with events and activities.
DON’T OVERLOOK MARCH!
Find a reason to rid yourself of the winter blahs while waiting for the first day of spring to arrive.
Until next time….let’s all find something to ‘march along and enjoy’. Me, I think hubby and I will enjoy the veteran’s organizations birthdays…cheers to the veterans and the organizations; we will enjoy a few brews on St. Patty’s Day; have a few jelly beans; and watch some basketball.
MARCH OFFERINGS
©Scottie-ann Murphy
(Written in March 2012)
The early morning sun tries to move from behind the gray clouds
it does nothing to warm us; the blowing winds of March chill our bones
i put on a pair of red framed glasses to read the mail
Sipping black coffee laced with a small bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream
I tear open an envelope containing a St. Patty’s day greeting card
A Claddagh with the words LOVE- LOYALTY- FRIENDSHIP printed
semi-circle on the front
Inside picture….shamrocks pouring out of a Kelly green bowler
TOP O’ THE MORNING written beneath in bold black lettering
The main verse states that there are four things needed for
a wonderful St. Patrick’s day……shamrocks, Irish derby hat,
pot of gold and most importantly a mug of brew
My mouth salivates at the sight of the glasses of beer illustrated inside
White foam pours out over the top and spills down the sides
I mentally taste a frosty Guinness chilling my taste buds
Perhaps this should be our appropriate beer choice for the month
March….thirty-one days packed with excitement
St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend; celebrations and parades to enjoy
March Madness….jeers and cheers for fans of college basketball
Who will reign as number one for this year many wonder?
Beach towns and destinations will greet with open arms spring breakers
arriving from the frigid north to enjoy sun, sand, surf and suds
Clocks will be pushed ahead for that one extra hour of daylight
Highlands County will welcome the masses of race car fanatics
clamoring to central Florida to watch the ‘Twelve Hours of Sebring’
The boys of summer return to the diamond for spring training games
Women celebrate Women’s History Month…. we all await springs arrival
I spot a book of poetry and quotes on the coffee table
Picking it up I flip through the pages and find the passage
from an unknown author….it is an Irish saying
“An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of
grass to keep from falling off the earth. “
I book mark the page to refer back to it during the month
It will become our mantra while enjoying all the festivities
that March has to offer
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