It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:
when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~Charles Dickens (1812–1870),Great Expectations
The calendar is full of days, weeks, and months. It is also full of other things like memories and celebrations. But one of the best things is anticipation.
In most parts of the country, January and February consist of one interminable 60-day month. The days, while growing longer, are still short. Winter is in full swing with all its attendant meteorological nastiness. Finally though, February 28th (or 29th) oozes past and March makes it's appearance. According to tradition, the month comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. In between, lie days of far contrast with regards to weather. The winds will blow cold and ice will form. Then will come a stretch of days when the air warms, the sun shines, and people begin to hope. But on the heels of those good days, Old Man Winter will storm back with a vengeance, dumping heavy, wet snow and sending the thermometer plummeting. Then warmth returns and brings with it either gentle showers or strong thunderstorms. Sometimes those changes can take place over a matter of hours. I have come to consider March as "the month that can't make up its mind."
In most parts of the country, January and February consist of one interminable 60-day month. The days, while growing longer, are still short. Winter is in full swing with all its attendant meteorological nastiness. Finally though, February 28th (or 29th) oozes past and March makes it's appearance. According to tradition, the month comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. In between, lie days of far contrast with regards to weather. The winds will blow cold and ice will form. Then will come a stretch of days when the air warms, the sun shines, and people begin to hope. But on the heels of those good days, Old Man Winter will storm back with a vengeance, dumping heavy, wet snow and sending the thermometer plummeting. Then warmth returns and brings with it either gentle showers or strong thunderstorms. Sometimes those changes can take place over a matter of hours. I have come to consider March as "the month that can't make up its mind."
