I am happy to say that I am surviving anther month of March and its unpredictable weather as we transition from winter to spring. In my opinion, March provides us with the most fickle weather of the year. Its unpredictable days may give us a massive blizzard, along with bone chilling cold, and in that same 31-day period we can enjoy balmy spring-like days that allow us to work outside in a T-shirt. Both extremes mean March, neither is unusual in the least during the third month of the year, and we accept these wild rambunctious swings as part of the changeover from winter to spring.
March has always intrigued me with its in-like-a-lion-out-like-a-lamb (or vice versa) characteristics. I also chuckle at the significant dates as well as the many specially named days in March, most of them outlandish and wacky, but still designated National Days.
Let’s take a run through some of these days. Did you know March brings Employee Appreciation Day, the first Friday in March, which this year was March 5? I didn’t either. Who ever heard of Employee Appreciation Day in the first place? Certainly, none of my employers, past or present, ever heard of such a thing, or if they did, I was not one of those they appreciated. I’m thinking here a small candy bar would have been a nice gesture. A Mars bar, Snickers, peanut butter cup, or a peppermint patty, I am not choosy when it comes to candy bars, actually and I would have enjoyed any one of the above-mentioned tokens of appreciation. A small bottle of Starbucks mocha coffee on my desk also would have done the trick. I figure this important day (for employees) needs better advertising. I should make a calendar next year, placing it in a prominent position where my employer can’t fail to notice it each and every day for a few weeks before the actual event. This gentle reminder (or unsubtle hint), might even garner me some sort of treat. Of course, I can also see this backfiring in some unexpected way.
March 10 offers the most exquisite special day for me. This date is designated as ‘Find a Pay Phone Booth Day.’ I have wanted an old phone booth for several years now. We live on Lois Lane, and I figure that planting an old phone booth at the junction of our little road would serve as an appropriate landmark for finding my residence. Snagging a red cape in the door would provide the finishing touch. I would always be able to find my way home if an empty phone booth, complete with red cape left behind by a superhero, pointed the way.
March 14 is National Pi day. 3/14, or 3.14, or 3.1415926 ad infinitum, or the ratio of a circle. Pi is an irrational number, so it fits quite nicely into today’s landscape with its political antics and it quite suits the month of March. An irrational number is one that never ends, rather like the absurd arguments we hear from some politicians and the silly conspiracy theories advanced by demented groups. Incidentally, Einstein was born on March 14, Pi day.
I like to celebrate Pi day with a slice of pie, preferably pumpkin, but lots of other varieties work as well. I am generally not too choosy when it comes to delicious food.
Daylight Savings Time began this year on March 14 as well. Now we have extra daylight in the evenings to complete outside tasks, and it gives us a boost knowing summer is on its way.
Of course, the Ides of March fall on March 15, a most unfortunate date for Julius Caesar. It is dreadful enough to be murdered, but killed off by an erstwhile friend and coworkers must be a bitter end to a life. The 15, or Ides, of March was the first day of the Roman New Year, incidentally.
After the murderous 15, St. Patrick’s Day falls on the 17 of the month. Green beer, shamrocks, leprechauns, corned beef and cabbage, Jell-O shots, and parades often mark the occasion. Did you know that the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762, not in Ireland? America also has over 34 million people of Irish descent, which is about four times the population of Ireland.
Moving on, this year March 20 gives us the Vernal, or spring equinox, when day length and night are equal, a true sign of approaching spring and summer. Spring equinox assures us that spring technically has arrived, even if in name only.
March 23 honors agriculture, with National Agriculture Day. This date to me is quite important, as without a vibrant agricultural base, people would go hungry. I used to write for an ag publication, and to me, agriculture is the most important industry in this country.
This year, Palm Sunday falls on March 28. The spring equinox dictates when Easter will arrive each year, as this religious holiday always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. That is why sometimes Easter arrives in late March, and other times it may be mid to late April before people celebrate Easter. Easter is our only holiday dependent on the lunar calendar.
I’ve only skimmed the surface of what March has to offer. March also has tons of special days I haven’t mentioned, such as March 6 (Oreo Cookie Day), March 18 (Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day), March 20 (Corn Dog Day), and March 28 (Something on a Stick Day). My neighbor ought to dearly love March, as he is a cookie monster, corn dog fanatic, and ice cream lover. Many ice cream products come on a stick, and I have no doubt he has tried them all.
March is an interesting month, both weather-wise and in the variety of special days and significant dates it contains. I am enjoying my March this year, and I hope yours is a good one as well.
Happy Spring.
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