The old adage states that March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb.
February, it seems, has already given us a sample of that!
Widowmaker winds have shown up a few times last month – bringing down trees and tree limbs here and there. Days like that are ones I hesitate to go walking down the old road or in the woods, as the trees sing and threaten to drop a branch or two.
The occasional windy day makes the power flicker. The porch wind chimes sing a furious, nonstop tune, in concert with the falling things that hammer a beat on the tin roof. The wind whistles, the rocking chair blows over on the porch, and last fall’s leaves going flying by in a swirling dance as birds soar by.
My horses seem to get a burst of energy, when it’s windy. Their manes and tails flying in the wind, and they snort, jump, and cavort, speeding across the field together. It’s almost like the wind gives them wings, turning them into a pair of land bound Pegasi.
February has given us a lot of teasers- winter, then a promise of spring when the temperatures soar to an unlikely high. A beautiful day with highs in the 60’s, almost near 70, only to plummet the next night to 24 degrees. Of course, this is the time my water trough heater chooses to give up the ghost, leaving a sheet of ice for me to break with the pitchfork. Spring, where art thou???
Mother Nature was flaunting spring, dangling it under our noses, with some trees and bushes budding uncharacteristically early.
The first tiny blue wildflowers peek out from under the winter grasses, and the bowing heads of white snowdrops in the garden are the harbingers of spring. The daffodils send up their green stalks with unopened flowers, ready to burst out of their protective coat to trumpet the arrival of warmer weather. These early bulbs survive the impetuous weather changes that February has brought us.
Along with winds, March brings with it the Ides of March. Beware the Ides of March comes from Roman times, when Julius Caesar was assassinated on the 15th of the month. It also referred to the coming of the new moon on the 15th, and all the stories phases of the moon bring.
March 20th we shall welcome spring and the vernal/spring equinox – but will it really be spring like?
The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that actual spring weather may take its time showing up this month.
Some fun facts about March – This month is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. March 8th is International Women’s Day. Also in March we welcome the Full Worm or Lenten Moon on March 7th, and Daylight Savings Time on March 12. Apparently, March is also National Umbrella month! I wonder why?
March 22nd is the start of the religious holiday of Ramadan. To finish off the month, the last 3 days, March 29, 30, and 31st are called the Borrowing Days, traditionally and reputedly stormy days. According to Scottish folklore (and what my Google powers found), the last 3 days of March were “borrowed” from April, so that “March might extend his power’”.
So, as I write this, at the close of February, for the March 1st issue, I am REALLY hoping that spring will show up, that the winds we have seen recently in February, will allow March to come in like a lamb! Tempted by those few warm days scattered around February, I think we are all ready for a bright and balmy spring! Time to check on your winter sowing and get those other seeds potted, so they are ready when the last frost comes and goes.
As the wind whistles by my front porch, and my old rocker out there furiously rocks alone, all is well at Mountain Meadows………
