Between the winter storm watches and wind chill factors, March really snuck up on me this year, and with more snow predicted tomorrow, I know I am not alone in disagreeing with T.S Eliot. Remember how he began The Wasteland?
APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
I get that you are talking about deeper things than the change of seasons, but March is the Cruella Deville of Washington weather. After all, meteorological Spring happens in March, yet District skies will throw down misery for pretty much the whole month- even if we do get that random 75 degrees day, we need to brace ourselves.
Sleet, slush, freezing rain? Enough already!
Emily Dickinson, living as she did up in New England must have felt the same way, but she's more polite about the whole thing:
Dear March - Come in -
How glad I am -
I hoped for you before -
Put down your Hat -
You must have walked -
How out of Breath you are -
And Charles Dickens nails it here:It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
While we are waiting for our summer in the shade, here are a few suggestions to keep your spirits up:
1. Lettuce up, limbo down… ( Never mind Mary Jane, tomatoes are the drug I'm thinking of) Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to start your seedlings! Have faith that May will be here in about 8 weeks, and we want those puppies ready to go!
2. Feeling cold blooded right about now? Make like an anaconda and hang out at the zoo where it's always warm in the Reptile House.
Or try Amazonia, another steamy favorite, especially if you can't go snorkeling somewhere warm and azure. Even if you are house bound, you can check out the new Elephant cam. Yes, you heard me. We can now spy on the Elephant House 24/7 and see what kind of pachyderm pool parties are going on when we are not around.
One caveat before we leave the zoo: I don't recommend visiting the Great Ape House this time of year. I thought teenage boys' rooms were rough, but these guys win.
3. Lastly an Irish coffee will warm your soul at one of my favorite watering holes, Martin's Tavern. Martin's has perched on the same corner of Wisconsin and N in Georgetown since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Welsh rarebit, French onion soup and Brunswick stew are also on the menu if you are looking for further old school sustenance. Martin's has a way of making everyone feel welcome from families to the old guy at the bar, tourists and regulars alike. (and this is where you will find the rare bird that is a DC native.) Here's a picture looking out at the Saint Patrick's Day snow storm last year. (Remember that, Farmer?)
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