"March you old blusterer, what will you bring?
Sunny Days, stormy days, under your wing?
No matter which it be, you will bring spring."
...but not for a few days yet.
A wild wind is howling around the house, finding sneaky ways through the tiniest of gaps in this old building, timbers are creaking, and so are my bones. Definitely a stormy start to the month.
Once the storm blows away there will be plenty of work to be done in Owl Wood, dead wood, twigs and branches will have been snatched and scattered with abandon on the woodland floor.
I often think about the birds in their nests, so high in the trees. Those trees swing and sway in a breeze, today they are rocking and rolling, each swaying to a different tune. It will be noisy with branches clacking and groaning.
Where do birds go to during stormy weather? Do they stay in their nests so high in those trees, enjoy the ride, I wonder? The way this easterly is blowing they have probably ended up in Cheshire!
Traditionally, beans were supposed to be sown by March 2nd, St Chad's Day. That's not going to happen this year, but there is a rhyme which you could sing while you dibble:
"Sow your beans, Four seeds in each hole
One for pigeon, one for crow,
One to wither, one to grow."
or
"Four seeds in a hole:
One for the rook, and one for the crow
And one to rot, and one to grow."
another version:
"Four seeds in a hole
One for the buds (birds)
One for the meece (mice)
And two for the Maaster."
Our beans won't be going outside for a while yet.
As March is "a rough old month", there are lots of weather sayings, like this one:
"Better to be bitten by an adder than feel the sun in March."
or:
"March dust on an apple leaf
Brings all kinds of fruit to grief."
Right now we have snow and icy winds from Siberia, but it can also bring warm sunshine and delicate breezes....soon, please.
"Ah, March! we know though art
Kind-hearted: spite of ugly looks and threats,
And, out of sight, art nursing April's violets"
As I look at this photograph I can almost catch the scent of violets and this is the month when I will be searching for them, looking for those which are scented, because the ones without, disappoint. No matter how beautiful a flower, if it doesn't have a lovely scent then, for me, it is only half a flower.
Nice to think of WARMTH and flowers and spring. I bet you have a fair amount of snow up with you and you're nearer Siberia than we are too!
ReplyDeleteWe had about six inches of snow yesterday - then overnight the wind has blown much more in from the barley fields around us, we have fabulously sculpted drifts of between two and three feet now while the fields almost look green again!
DeleteI don't wish snow on anyone after enduring 5 months of it. Ours is leaving but March can be a nasty month and it will be no surprise to wake to a winter wonderland again. I am looking down all the time in hopes of seeing new life pushing through. crocuses are to be expected soon. Enjoyed your post this morning.
ReplyDeleteHello Deb, I think you deserve an early spring after all those months of snow. Fingers crossed that you get one. Those first signs of spring growth are so exciting!
DeleteOne saying you left off was "March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb." It is so true. We have high wind warnings up for tomorrow - near tropical storm strength predicted. I wonder if we will feel our building sway up here on the 11th floor.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for tomorrow! We have the March lion/beast battering the place, whipping the snow into fabulous sculptures - it has also ensured that the village is cut off from the world. Very peaceful. Just don't want it to last too long!
DeleteHave been reading about how your 'Storm Emma' and the 'Beast From The East' are due to collide. These things, can be called 'A Perfect Storm', of havoc.
ReplyDeleteThe weather maps showed "what" is expected, on Thurs., Fri., and Sat. And where. But I don't know your exact position. Best of luck, with getting through these days, where ever you are, in the Country.
And here, our snow is mostly gone, and the temps are warmer and the next door chickens are enjoying being free, in their fenced back yard. I can again, feed them scraps. Since I don't have to plod through snow to get to the fence. Nope, don't do it, in the winter.
But love to collect scraps, in nice weather, to share with them. Love the sweet little sounds they make, while eating. :-)
Gentle winter storm hugs...
Definitely wild out there, Luna! We have deep drifts, mainly thanks to the six inches of snow which were on the barley fields, being whipped over and into the village in deep drifts. Hills, small as they are, are also helping to keep us cut off from the world. If it wasn't so very windy and bitterly cold I would be out there with my camera because the place must look very beautiful.
DeleteGood to know that you have some warmth and to hear that the hens are free to enjoy their yard again. We don't have any chickens now, but I used to love seeing my girls come running for their scraps.
Hi Elaine! I hope you are staying cosy in Parsonage Cottage as Storm Emma blows over.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful our power has stayed on today and hubby was able to get to work and buy some provisions.
I was wondering about the birds and their plans for spring nestings with all this strange weather!
Lovely violets both colour and scent but it'll be a while until I see any!
Glad to hear that you have provisions and power. It is definitely a wild one this time, there will be lots of clearing up to be done once it blows away. Roll on spring!
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