ON THE PORCH lucky to live in the ‘burg

by Anne Hicks

In my virtual workspace, there is a view of life outside the office in my backyard. I can see those feet meeting the pavement when the young ones get off the school bus in our neighborhood, and see people walk or bike to work. Virtually, I peruse community postings on Facebook and see those who share pictures of sunrises, moonscapes, and landscapes, trails and rivers. It is a reminder that as the days go by and the gentleness of nature unfolds, it maybe a reason why so many flock here to live. Community engagement with the fair weather reside in this town's favor.

The kindness of nature's fair weather this year allows for much listening internally and externally. The Doves, Blue Jays, Crows, Cardinals and all the birds including Squirrels, those, chatty, nervous, clever gatherers are enjoying temperate winter weather. Then, all becomes quite when it gets cold. And it does get cold.

Still, we are lucky and may be spared Old Man Winter's white blankets of flakey or weighty snow and wind. It's certainly been a reprieve from the damage last year. With all to love about winter, we are turning the corner patiently awaiting spring while often adjusting daily to this winter's fidgety temperatures, and wonder what's next?

I hope we are lucky, and luck lasts beyond St. Patrick's Day into Easter and up until and after the cherry blossoms arrive and forever, which it will perhaps by definition. At least for now. As I hesitate and fondly remember my mother saying, "Beware of the Ides of March" naïvely I believed it had more to long winters of my younger days, wondering how long winter would last! I've been in Virginia half of my life and in Fredericksburg for thirteen years and feel lucky to live here.

As I reconcile what luck means in the context of historical sayings, i.e., "The Ides of March," its historical value and meaning, I also think of my mom and our families heritage.

Not all is lucky, historically. Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15th and William Shakespeare dramatized this in the famous quote, "Beware of the Ides of March". There are other dates in history in which the 15th of March was very unlucky and ripe for the superstition. To name one, the blizzard in North Dakota and Minnesota on March 15th, 1941. I didn't find one while searching weather in Fredericksburg, luckily. Though I did find online that "Ides of March," can mean icicle! This would be chilling and for me a delightful pleasure especially when not expected. Still, it may be very unlucky for others that have them hanging from their houses.

The Ides of March is a date on the Roman Calendar and a day that comes every month. The Ides also refer to the first new moon of a given month. Some also say "Ides of March" means nothing other than the 15th of March. For me, it is a month to concentrate on the smells and life of spring. It is the time of allowing then newness in the new year. After all, there are shamrocks everywhere and hopefully pots of gold somewhere.

The Irish saying about luck is they seem to be able to land on their feet when bad circumstances occur. I think this is true for all, in nature, the world and beyond. We need to keep lucky in our mindset. Luck itself means "success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions. “ But good luck is said to really mean “Good fortune or a favorable occurrence". Either way it's interesting to find all forms of the definitions of luck and the ides and the Ides of March.

We're feeling lucky to enjoy the beautiful places in the Burg. The weather is the sweet space between the freezing cold and melting heat. Although, it has a way of being both.

Feeling the welcome changes in the seasons and wishing you all the best luck and love in this year. There are many events taking place in town during March either in person or on our porch/deck. You will find more reading Front Porch every month cover to cover and page by page may discover a lot about this awesome town in all the articles. For sure, check out the Events Page!

Anne Hicks enjoys living in Fredericksburg with her husband Tuffy.