March 8, 2018, New England. Beaten-down dogwood blocks the back steps.
After the blogger behind Jnana’s Red Barn posted 10 things he liked about March, I thought, “Wow! What a challenge!” New Englanders often find it hard to think of even one good thing about March. Winter hangs on and hangs on and hangs on, the snow no longer seems magical, and activities get canceled that you thought for sure you would be able to do in March.
Could I possibly think of 10 good things? I knew it would be good for me to try.
1. Daylight. I definitely like having more daylight.
But although I thought about Jnana’s challenge for days, daylight was the only thing I could think of that I liked about March.
Should I mention how quiet it is at Suzanne and Erik’s house when they take the family off for March vacation? (I stay at the house when I volunteer in Rhode Island.) It’s much more entertaining when the grandchildren are there, but quiet can be nice once in a while, and I’ll never get to 10 if I don’t include this.
2. A quiet house.
A couple items are comparative — that is, they start to happen a lot more in March.
3. More walks in the woods.
4. More sightings of neighbors.
Once I got this far, I began to think it might be possible to get to 10.
5. The first spring flowers.
6. Four young cousins playing at my husband’s birthday.
7. Decorating Easter eggs.
8. John and Suzanne planning their two families’ New Shoreham summer.
9. Irish music by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
10. Return of the redwing blackbirds.
Yaay! I’m feeling more positive already. How about you? Can you find 10 things you like about March?
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Good for you! I can imagine that the cold days of MARCH can get to a person after awhile. I’ll have to remember that positive thinking come August with its heat that I’m ready for it to be gone.
Oh, right! Of course, up north we love August!
March really is a tough month to love . . . I like watching World Figure Skating championships and March Madness basketball. I listen to the Clancys and Tommy Makem year round but they are extra fun is March. Yes, there’s more daylight and, yes, there’s at least the possibility of a warm breeze . . . but now I’m stumped for more!
Blogger Deb made me realize that different regions have a different “March,” a different hard-to-love month. She says hers is August. (I think she’s in Tennessee?) Working on 10 things really helped me feel more upbeat — especially as we expect more snow on Tuesday!
I think she’s in Georgia but both would have tough-to-love Augusts. And we’ll *love* our August days, won’t we?!
We sure will!
Your blog made me “upbeat”: the idea of trying to find 10 things that are good with March. That is the month when the light is coming back and you can feel the spring might soon come after 4 months of cold and darkness. For me that says everything. Only possibilities…
March must feel even longer where you are, Stuga40. I remember being in Sweden in June (1995). It seemed to me that Swedes wanted to sit outdoors 24/7 because it was such a relief to leave winter behind.
You are so right. We are sitting out even if it is raining and cold in summer.
I like their blog and would like to go and see what they are up to.
You are great at following up on things you read about. It’s so good to dig deeper.
I’m with you with walking and daylight, and add sunshine, birdsong, bumblebees, primroses, crocuses, tree blossom, buds, and Easter eggs.
Great list! I need it today because the supposed Biggest Storm of the Season is bearing down on me and it’s March 12!
Oh no! Apparently we have another cold snap coming too.