March marks the time of year
that normally begins the transition of weather from winter to spring. Folklore
describes the explosive weather that may occur at this time of the year as “If
March comes in like a lamb (calm weather), March will go out like a lion
(stormy unsettled weather), or the opposite being March comes in like a lion
and will go out like a lamb.” I don’t know how much accuracy may be attributed
to this adage. However, as a child, I do
remember noticing that many times it worked out to be true. At least, it’s a
fun game to play. In my part of the country, March began like a lamb with sunny
skies and warm breezes. Remains to be seen if the month will end in lion
fashion. New Orleans has experienced a warm winter with very little “coat-time”
and many days of lion-like weather including unusual tornado action. Only God
knows what the future holds
The planet is warming? I agree, but only in
part caused by human behavior. In my opinion, the universe moves in seasons in
the same way the sun and its planets move in seasons. For this reason, hundreds
of years could pass as the universe moves in the summer of its seasons. We can look forward to warmer, hotter
weather, vicious summer-like storms (both winter and summer), rising oceans, and
blistering sun especially near the equator.
Is true climate change caused by humanity, or the nature of the universe?
Humanity is limited in what can be done to change the pattern ahead. I do not
believe we can legislate or regulate our way out of climate change. We simply
must endure the changes and adjust our culture to meet the challenges while
doing our best to protect our environment.
March records few holidays
of interest. However, especially if you are Irish, you will enjoy celebrating
St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th. St. Patrick, a legendary Catholic
hero of fourth century Ireland, died on that date, and he has long been
remembered with the wearing of bright green for the Emerald Isle. My Irish Mother,
who could explode into temperament often ascribed to the Irish red head, my fiery-red-headed
brother, Donnie, my second brother, Bob, who didn’t share the red hair, but
possessed more than average the aggressive temperament of the Irishman, my
out-spoken sister, Joyce, whose golden locks filled me with envy, all passed
into eternity except Bob Halstead, whose pearls of wisdom can be viewed daily
on Facebook, will be remembered as long as I live with unconditional love.
Although I’m not Catholic nor do I celebrate saints, I always enjoy the memories
of the wearing of the green on March 17th.
“Beware the Ides of March,”
said the soothsayer in the Shakespearean play, Julius Caesar. The term “ides” as
defined means to divide as referred to calendar division of the months of the
Roman calendar proposed by Caesar. The ides occurred every month on the 13th
or 15th. However, March became the harbinger of superstition as the
15th brought assassination to Caesar. Many other events of tragedy
or mishap are attributed to that date. Generations of superstition followed
with those who cite the “Ides of March” as a time to beware. My very
superstitious Dad would not plan or agree to any event with risk in the month
of March. Major surgery became necessary and should have been performed in
March, but he waited until April citing “the Ides of March” as his reason. His
superstition, commonly held by his generation, has disappeared with the
enlightened wisdom of the present day. Or has it? I’ll let you decide. Have a
happy, safe, uneventful March always being aware!
