March – a month to renew memories of yesteryear – dormant since November past – a time of rebirth – and most assuredly a time for love.
A month of winds and warming weather – ushering in the virgin colors of greens, yellows, purples and reds – trees bursting into bloom, reunions of daffodils and tulips and birds announcing their return from afar.
The World Baseball Classic and spring training, the Oscars, spring break, the Ides, Saint Patrick’s Day, Spring Equinox, and the madness of collegiate basketball are all a part of the regeneration in this month called March.
Originally the first month of the Roman calendar, March was called Martius, so named after the Roman god of war and was considered a lucky time to begin a war.
Oddly enough March also begins on the same day of the week as November every year.
This March, find a friend or a lover and take a stroll along some tranquil stream and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, remembering to exclude any and all conversation.
On the 5th, throw an Oscar party and watch Hollywood celebrate itself, live from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Forget “your” politics for about three hours and enjoy the crazy festivities hosted by Jon Stewart.
Of course the celebration wouldn’t be complete without that extra-large bowl of buttered popcorn, which is a necessity and hopefully will outlast the speeches in which the winners will thank everyone from their agent to their Zen Buddhist brethren.
Do something constructive on spring break besides sleeping the week away.
March 15 is called the Ides of March. For something out of the ordinary, try re-reading William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.”
March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, a day to celebrate Ireland whether you’re Irish or not. Wear something green and listen to those lush Irish folk tunes, which are part of the heritage of the Appalachian region.
Pretend to walk “Down the Old Plank Road,” to Matt Molloy’s Pub, stopping in for a beer and listening to a reading of a William Butler Yeats poem.
The Spring Equinox arrives on March 20, when there will be 12 hours of daylight experienced every place on earth, as the sun rises exactly in the east, and travels through the sky for 12 hours and sets exactly in the west, bringing to a close the Winter Solstice.
And with the arrival of spring let the madness of the games begin.
March madness, when young men play the great game of basketball the way it was intended to be played. It’s a time when emotions run rampant and the games are sheer excitement.
March madness is basketball at its best.
And when the month draws to a close, if you have not experienced a rebirth, have not become rejuvenated by its wild winds, then you have not lived the month of March as it was intended to be lived.

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