Today's title, "March Insanity" is a play on the phrase, "March Madness", that signifies the annual NCAA college basketball tournaments that take place across the nation. While I am not a devotee of watching college basketball on television, I do follow the progress of the teams, especially if my Alma mater is involved, and I read the sports section daily. On the few occasions that I will actually see a part of a game on television, I am always struck by the intensity and enthusiasm with which the young athletes play. They wear their hearts on their sleeves unlike many of the jaded professional players who, in spite of their stratospheric salaries, look almost bored when they are out on the floor.
March, as a month, seems to lend itself to insanity. First there is the March Madness component of the NCAA tournaments, then there is the weather. March is the month that Mother Nature throws the kitchen sink at the earth. There can be sun and temps in the high fifties, such as today, but she can also throw in strong winds, which she has done today. If our Aqua RV was in the water now, this would not be a good boating day for there would be, perhaps, gale-force winds. When Mother Nature gets the wind out of her system, she may choose either rain, snow or both. You just never know what each day will bring. If I were a meteorologist, March would be my least favorite month.
Another element of insanity in March takes place in our public school and our institutions of higher education. Staff and students, alike, have just about had it with being in school every day and all can smell a "spring" break of some kind lurking right around the corner. For some, home will do the trick and they will catch up on sleep, housework, book-reading, mall-walking, and hanging out with friends. Maybe catch a movie or two.
Others will vacation as families, often in warm and sunny climes, taking advantage of low travel rates and all-inclusive package deals. Singles and couples may follow this route, too, or head to exotic places where they can simply lie low, drink massive numbers of margaritas, and re-charge their batteries.
Whatever your form of madness is in March, we can all agree that it is a month in which to celebrate something - anything - as long as it signals the end of winter. Our closets should be at the ready with winter coats, warm mittens, snow boots, sandals, shorts, halter tops, and raincoats. Oh, yes - bathing suits, too.
Ancora imparo
