March

March—in like a lion, out like a lamb! Well that’s not the case for Georgia this year. It came in more like a lamb, and it remains to be seen what the month will hold. I’ve been saying for days, this nice weather won’t last…there’s still some cold about. And sure enough, the weather forecast at this writing is for mid-20s this weekend. Ooooh, that’s cold!

I, like most folks, have thoroughly enjoyed this warm, sunny March. The sunny part is even more important when you’re trying to build a house.

I remember the weather five years ago was very similar to this. The first weekend in March was warm and sunny. The second weekend, however, turned chilly and damp. You know why I remember? My youngest got married March 11, 2017, and is celebrating her fifth anniversary this weekend…by buying a house.

The weekend before her wedding the weather was beautiful. However, the day of her wedding it was a bit chilly, misting rain and not nearly as pleasant. It’s o.k. She has nothing but fond memories from the day.

Besides the see-saw weather, March is also known as a time to gear up for baseball season. Typically the ball clubs are in spring training this time of year. For years, my father and his wife, Bonnie, would go to Florida and watch the Braves at spring training. They thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, no one is watching spring training games nowadays, and we’re beginning to wonder when, or if, the baseball season will get under way. The first two series of the season have officially been called off, and more cancellations are likely.

I’m not sure what they are fighting for…I believe the bottom line is the players and the owners both want a bigger share of the overall purse. It’s not all about money; there are a number of issues being debated, but I imagine it pretty much all comes down to the bottom line.

Whatever it is, there seems to be enough money to go around. Get on with it boys of summer…or owners of summer.

Some of you are not baseball fans, but instead are basketball fans. I’m not, really, but I understand March Madness is right around the corner. I don’t think the weather affects it.

I can’t write to March Madness because I’m not much of a basketball fan. But, there is March Madness beginning this week in Monticello. The Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with local businesses for our own March Madness.

Just make a purchase at a participating merchant, then sign your receipt and put it in the box at the Visitors’ Center. Each Friday one lucky winner will receive a prize. Then, at the end of the month, one lucky winner will be drawn to win a whole slew of prizes, as every participating merchant will make a contribution.

So take part in March Madness…if you are a merchant, be a sponsor. If you are a resident…shop. And if you’re me, I do the vast percentage of my shopping locally already, so I just have to remember to take my receipts to the Visitors’ Center.

The thing about it is, there’s lots to see at the center if you’re not a regular and if you are, then just pop in, say hello to Mandi and Brandi, drop your receipts, and hope for the best.

I have been lucky this year…I won the Seuss on the Loose quilt just this week!

More March news—Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, March 13 at 2 a.m. when everyone sets their clock forward one hour. Yes, Georgia voted to do away with DST, but it’s still here. I don’t understand it, but I believe it’s a federal mandate. Not sure how Arizona and Hawaii get away with it.

And, let’s not forget that most important spring holiday—Easter. It doesn’t come along until April 17 this year.