As March 1st rolled by us last week, I had visions of my high school days. I remember that March 1st was opening day of baseball practice; something I would look forward to each winter. What that did to me, however, was to condition me that March 1st was the beginning of spring. Even today if I am unlucky enough to find myself in the Northeast in March, I find myself asking where is the green? The only place I was able to find it was at the Scituate St. Patrick’s Day parade. That was a one and done for me… too damn cold and then I moved to Florida.
Regardless of my physical location, which will remain in Florida for many years to come (hopefully), I still love the month of March and all the great things that happen in this month.
Major League Baseball starts the month with spring training and winds it up with opening day of the regular season.
Daylight savings time begins where there may be some daylight remaining when you get home from work. It may be a little rougher to put kids to bed who can’t tell time yet, but you get used to it.
College hoops finishes their regular season, hosts league tournaments and then starts March madness culminating with Men’s and Women’s National champions being crowned. The same for hockey… league playoffs and the Frozen Four to crown their Men’s and Women’s champions. These are usually thrilling games with lots of emotion and suspense. I’ll try not to let my disdain for the NIL (Names, Images and Likeness) programs ruin the viewing for me.
Can’t forget about St. Pattie’s day. Growing up in NY, even the Italian neighborhoods undertook in a little celebrating. I didn’t realize, however, just how serious Boston was about St. Pattie’s day until I had my first job at a large CPA firm. I won’t mention names, but let’s just say that a few of the partners at that large accounting firm were MIA all day and hurting pups the next day.
Spring skiing has become the only time of year that I can tolerate the mountains. While I will not leave Florida to put on snow pants, hat, gloves and whatever the heck else would be required to ski, it’s hard to deny that March typically offers the best conditions of the year combined with longer, warmer days.
And last, but not least… spring arrives! I am sure it will be warm and sunny in FL on that day, and I’ll be doing something representative of those conditions. But to be honest, about the only thing I miss about the Northeast is when those first crocuses, daffodils, and tulips come out of the ground and the forsythia’s pop with yellow arms.
There’s no denying spring at that point, and you know the best is yet to come.
