SUNDAY FUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2021

 SUNDAY FUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2021

iT’S SPRING

It is finally spring.  Depending on where you live there may be a variety of activities.  In Central Texas, the Bluebonnets are just starting.  We’ll have some traces of them until mid-May.  They are almost like a weed (please forgive me Texans) as they grow in rocky soil frequently in the ditches along highways and places that don’t get mowed.  

In the north, the snowbanks are getting smaller, any new snow does melt.  

The redbuds are in bloom.  (Okay, the tiny buds are more of a purple than red - but the name is “redbud” trees.)  I’ve seen a few apple trees (or fruit trees) in blossom.  The crepe myrtle trees will be coming soon.  And it is time to get your garden in - so you get some things grown before the summer heat takes over(about late June).

I’m helping a friend rejuvenate an old raised bed.  My guess is that it has been several years since it was a garden bed.  So, I’ve tried to dig out the plants that have been growing there (mostly scrubs).  I’m adding some compost, garden soil, and peat moss.  Let’s see if my green thumb is working!!!   

As I was at a garden center yesterday, it seemed like everybody was ready for spring.  I wrote a while back about Edvard Grieg’s tone poem piece about the last spring.  Having lived in the upper midwest most of my life, I understand how much we long for spring to finally arrive!

We’ve been through the change in time.  Is it me or is there more opposition to the time changes?  Some say “No more daylight savings time, others say daylight savings time all year, and some say leave it as it is!!!. 

I do like more daylight in the evenings.  For those who work, that is more time to play golf, or mow the lawn or do activities.  In Connecticut, I actually liked the idea of “double daylight savings time”.  Even in mid-summer, sunrise is about 5:30 a.m. - why not move it back to 6:30 - and put the extra hour at the end of the day?

I think one of the arguments in favor of regular time is to get kids on school busses in light - while even now, a few days into daylight savings time, sunrise is about 7:30 - and kids do get on school busses earlier than that.  

Yes, our bodies seem to adjust to it.  The first two days after DST started it seems to be a bit lethargic as we miss that hour we lost!!!  (Of course, the answer is “more caffeine”!!!! <smile>)

SPORTS

The change in time also corresponds to “March Madness”.  

With the change of the seasons comes the change in sports.  Indoor sports (like basketball and wrestling) change to outdoor sports (like baseball, soccer, and track).  As almost a celebration of spring and the changing seasons comes the NCAA March Madness Basketball tournament.  Of course with a pandemic, there are limits on attendance and activities.  

I didn’t fill out a bracket this year.  Without a television, without falling college (or professional) basketball this year it just doesn’t have the same appeal.  I am following the NAIA Division II women’s basketball tournament - where Dakota State’s women’s team is into the quarterfinals.  Quinnipiac’s women’s basketball team didn’t make it into the NCAA Division I tourney this year.  

Likewise in College Hockey, the Quinnipiac Men’s hockey team is playing for the ECAC conference championship.  

It does allow me to ‘brag’ about the time I played in the NCAA Division I Hockey Championship - the “Frozen Four”.  Yes, I did play - but it was in the Quinnipiac Pep Band - in the top rows on the arena!!

AND, if that wasn’t enough, I also played in the NCAA Division I Women’s basketball tournament (but, alas, not the finals) - also in the pep band.  We were down on the floor right behind the basket (the ball did not bounce to me, but it did to some of the clarinets and flutes in the front row).  

I think we see the easing of the COVID pandemic.  Many people I know have had at least one vaccination shot.  The age for those getting shots is going down.  I think it was at age 50 in Central Texas  - and in some areas - the vaccine is available for pretty much all adults.  In this complex world - there are those who say “no” the vaccines - they haven’t been tested enough (or some idiotic things - like Bill Gates had microchips in the serum - which according to the fact-checking sites is ridiculous) 

And, with the end of basketball season, the end of the winter sports season, comes the summer sports - baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, swimming, etc.    Keep busy folks.  Get outside.

GAMES

We’ve done some of these before, but some should be new:

1. |R|E|A|D|I|N|G|

2.

CYCLE

CYCLE

CYCLE

3.

    R  

R O A D S

    A

    D

    S

4.

STAND

-----------

    I

5. 

ECNALG 

6. 

YOU  JUST  ME

7.

GROUND

-------------

  FEET

  FEET

  FEET

  FEET

  FEET

**********

8. A farmer wanted an orchard.  He wanted five rows of apple trees, with four trees in each row.  He bought ten trees - and got what he wanted.  How did he do it?

9. Why was 6 scared of 7?  

**********

National Days

March  21, 2021 Harmony Day

We come together to celebrate Harmony Day on 21 March. Created in 1999 to celebrate unity and diversity, Harmony Day was originally an Australian celebration but is now marked worldwide by conscientious citizens. Whether you want to be better friends with your neighbors or stand in the shoes of another, we’ve got some harmonious habits and unifying ideas to make your Harmony Day a picture of peace.

March 22, 2021 - Word Water Day

Water is so vital to all of us.  And, how frequently we take water for granted (or as some of my students thought - for “granite”).  With the central Texas winter storms, I was without water for about four days.  I brought in ice and snow and melted them to use to flush the toilet.  When I had power, I boiled it to use it for drinking water.  

March 23, 2021, National Diabetes Awareness Day

I have written about diabetes in the past.  You can beat diabetes by keeping your weight under control, exercising, eating healthful foods (and even with intermittent fasting).

March 24, 2021, National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

In the past (not in the last ten years), I could get a whole bag (about 12 ounces) of chocolate-covered raisins in one sitting!!!   Probably not a good thing - but something I really liked!!!

March 25, 2021, National Medal Of Honor Day

The link says “To date, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to those who fight to keep our country safe – and today is the day to honor their exemplary service.”  Thank you all!!!!

March 27, 2021, Passover

This very special day in the Judeo-Christian tradition reminds us of how the Angel of Death “passed over” the houses where the blood of an innocent lamb was painted on the door frame - and thus allowing the Jewish people to escape slavery in Egypt.  

*****

WRAP-UP

So March is flying by.  Life is flying by!!!  Time to get things going.  Next week, we look a little at the Christian “holy days”- from Palm Sunday to Easter.  Plus more games, comments, and aspects of life in a pandemic!!!

Do remember to love and not hate.  Do remember to forgive and show mercy.  Do remember to challenge yourself to be the ‘best version of you!!!

Micah 6:8 “What does God expect of you oh man, but to love justice, show mercy, and to walk humbly with God”

“I can only love God as much as the person I love the least” (Dorothy Day - thus, I am NOT allowed to hate and must LOVE everybody)

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Hugs!!!

Karen