March: lamb in the morning, lion in the evening

 

Spring is only a few weeks away, but it's still winter. But it's time to prune roses, plant new bulbs, rake leaves from flowerbeds and other places. 

Here are some comments about winter drawn from “The 2,548 Things Anybody Ever Said,” selected and compiled by Robert Byrne.

 “It was so cold I almost got married.” – Shelley Winters

 “Plant carrots in January and you’ll never have to eat carrots.” – Unknown.

“An old man in love is like a flower in winter.” – Portuguese proverb 

“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.” – Carl Reiner          

“I like winter because I can stay indoors without feeling guilty.” – Teressa Skelton.

And finally, from the compiler: “Winter is nature’s way of saying, ‘Up yours.’” – Robert Byrne.

                From “The Book of Lists,” compiled by David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace, that I bought because a Hot Springs writer once said that she didn’t like lists. She was an English teacher; may she rest in peace. The only entry for winter is this: “WINTER BALLOON FESTIVAL: Sixty hot-air balloons from twenty countries converge in Switzerland in January for the annual Chateau d’Oex Winter Alpine Balloon Festival. Tour members will join in seven days of flying, including mass ascensions of the entire fleet.”

                Do you suppose that’s where some of last month’s balloons drifted from? Oh, surely not!

                The only other list that deals with winter comes under the heading of “Esoteric Halls of Fame” that happens in Wisconsin, the International Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame. “Each year three inductees are chosen, two in the driver category and one in the industry/support category. Notable honorees include Jim Aderua, who died in a snowmobile racing accident in 1975, and Audrey Decker, the only female member of the hall of fame.”

                On January 3 of this year, rally car driver Ken Block was killed while riding up a slope in Utah’s Wasatch County when the machine upended and landed on top of him.

                Trying to use some of the many books I’ve bought as fodder for my writings, I pull down the third one, “The TRIVIA Encyclopedia," by Fred Worth. Organized alphabetically, there was nothing under W for winter. But under S are three items I can use. “Snow Baby” – Admiral Pearcy’s daughter, Marie, born in 1893 in the Arctic Circle at Inglefield Gulf.

                The second: “Snowball” – Albino dolphin: (at this writing) only one known to exist. In 1962, it could be found in the Miami Seaquarium.

                Third: “Snowbirds” –the Canadian Air Force’s aerobatic team. Oh, and snowbirds in Florida are what we call folks who leave their northern climate come winter, and dwell in warmer temps for the duration. One daughter-in-law produces a Snowbird Magazine during these months.

                I’ll close with an item from the fourth book I consult, “4800 Wisecracks, witty Remarks and Epigrams for all occasions,” edited by Edmund Fuller. Under “Weather,” this: “Winter lingered so long in the lap of Spring, that it occasioned a great deal of talk.” – Bill Nye.

                And with that, bye-bye.

c 2023, PL, dba lovepat press, Benton AR USA