March: The Harebrained Month
Oddities as common as the wind
Besides the fluctuating weather, the month of March brings some oddities, making it a “harebrained month,” writes Patricia Finn.
It’s March. Because of the association with the March Hare, I call March the harebrained month. March is wonderful because it acknowledges both the March hare and the Ides of March. I for one have no idea what either of these refer to; but because I am dedicated to helping readers stay informed, I will research these March icons and also take a look at St. Patrick’s Day, Daylight Saving Time, and the First Day of Spring.
The harebrained month and March hares
For starters, hares and rabbits are not the same. Skipping the scientific differences, I can tell you that hares have pointed ears and rabbits don’t. The beloved term “harebrained” can be traced to the hare and its quirky behavior. (We may be on to something here.) March is hare mating season, so we will fast forward to the Ides of March and give our harebrained friends some privacy.
The ides
The Ides of March is somewhat scholarly and a bit serious. Preceded by the daunting admonition to BEWARE, this deserves research. “Ides” refers to the middle of a month. Historically, March 15 for the Romans was also associated with the payment of debt. (I thought that was April 15.) Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15, which adds to the idea that it is a date to BEWARE and considered to be bad luck by those who are followers of luck.
St. Patrick’s Day
If you survive the 15th and make it to the 17th, it is St. Patrick’s Day. I was past 60 when I learned that St. Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland. I will leave you in suspense to explore this shocking truth on your own. The reality of St. Patrick being British (and of Roman descent!) is one that leaves my Irish heritage set in a state of confusion. Did he have a British accent? I may never adjust to this.
Changes, unwanted and welcome
Moving on to Daylight Saving Time, I can think of no other tribute to states’ rights in America than Daylight Savings. I spent a few years in Arizona and they did not, would not, and flatly refused to apply Daylight Savings Time within the state borders. Way to go, Arizona. No confusion there. In 2022, additional states dropped the time change. We may be proud to be American, but don’t ask us what time it is.
I am starting to sound crabby, but March is sort of a crabby month until March 20/21, the first day of spring.
For those of us who like the predictability that calendars can give, April and May are next and we can relax, because they do not have to deal with animals who have pointed ears or scary numbers.
Patricia Finn writes FINNICKY, a weekly blog for seniors. She has been published in senior publications in New Hampshire, Montana, and Florida. Finn is an Amazon Author and a Goodreads Author and has served as a workshop host for the National Center for Family Literacy. She was syndicated with Senior Wire syndication and authored “Walking With My Foot In My Mouth.” Learn more and follow FINNICKY at PatriciaFinn.com.
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