By Michele D. Baker
March is here! There’s so much to love about this month – the first day of Spring, the clock moving ahead so it’s not dark at dinnertime, and the lovely weather that comes to us in the South in this gorgeous month.
My younger brother – “Patrick,” what a coincidence! – was born at the end of March. He was born the year I graduated from university. In fact, I have a photo of me in my cap and gown ready to go on stage to get my diploma, and I’m holding him – he was just a few months old and cute as a button! Of course, now he’s a grown man with a son of his own. (In case you were wondering, my nephew Cameron is the most perfect child ever born.)
Then there’s always St. Patrick’s Day, that beer and corned beef holiday that fulfills all of my personal needs. Despite my German and French heritage, there’s a wide streak of “green” inside me that simply loves the Irish beers and craves a Reuben sandwich. As I get older, my doctor has told me to watch my salt intake, so I’ve had to resort to Rachels instead of Reubens. (A “Rachel” is turkey and Swiss toasted on Rye with sauerkraut and lower-cal 1000 Island Dressing instead of the traditional corned beef and Russian dressing, and I must admit to preferring it now to the saltier version.)
Related: With Love in February: Roses, Chocolate, and Philautia
But probably my favorite thing about March is the first official day of Spring. Although I prefer cooler weather, this “snow in Florida” thing we had recently is simply taking things too far! Spring to me means that the sun will finally shine a little warmer, and the days will be a little longer. I can sit outside and enjoy the cool without needing a coat. The cat also appreciates being able to sleep in a patch of sunshine, and when he’s happy, I’m happy.
I wish you beautiful March days, lots of green beer, Reubens and Rachels, and plenty of sunshine on a gorgeous white sand beach –
