March

The month of March is so aptly named.  We know we are moving towards spring but certainly not at quick step.  In fact, it feels more like we are marching in place, you know, "right, left, right, left, right, with an occassionally "about face" thrown in.  One step forward, two steps back, etc.
And just in case you didn't know ..
- The word March was originally the fist month of the Roman calendar.  It was the beginning of the calendar year until we changed to the Gregorian calendar in 1752.
- Anglo-Saxons called the month Llyd monath which means Stormy month or Hraed monath which means Rugged month.  Both are apropo.
- Marbles were traditionally played through Lent and stopped on the stroke of twelve noon on Good Friday, which in some places was called Marble Day (maybe this is where "I think he's lost his marbles" came from?).
- The Narcissus (wild daffodil) is the flower most associated the March.  It is also known as the Lent Lily because it blooms in early spring and the blooms usually drop before Easter.
- March is the birth month of my oldest son.
- When March come in like a lion it goes out like a lamb.
- As it rains in March so it rains in June (lucky for us it doesn't say anything about snow)!
- And of course who can forget, "Beware the Ides of March"?
Now that you have cluttered you head with all these little know facts, go fill out your "March Madness" pick and may the best man/women win!