Tuesday, March 3, 2009

In like a ?

Hi: 23°F
Low: 6°F
Conditions: Gradual clearing throughout the day.
One day in early March, my second grade teacher handed out cotton balls, tawny string, and blue construction paper. Our assignment was to make three dimensional lions and lambs squared off against one another under what, presumably, was a cornflower spring sky. I was never much of an artist (no attention to detail), but I complied as best as I could with the project. Still, I was clearly distracted.
.
While the glue was left to dry, we second graders were left to cavort around the playground. My friends opted for the monkey bars, but I had different animals in mind. Where was this lion, said to usher in our month? And what on earth was it going to do to an approaching lamb? No one seemed to know. Worse yet, no one seemed to care. Forget distracted, I was flummoxed.
.
The meteorological proverb has stuck with me ever since, though it doesn't resonate with me much more now than it did then. Still, each March 1st, I keep an eye out for either creature--just in case. And, if pushed, I'd probably admit I have seen a lion or two start the months of March since second grade.
.
So, in the interest of weather mythology, Ari and I set out this week to see if we could test the proverb once and for all. The radar seemed hopeful for some sort of visitor:
.
.
But, when we stepped out in all the snow, there wasn't a creature to be found. Nor was there the bluster of a lion, or even the supposed tranquilness of a lamb. All there was was snow. Constant, falling, accumulating snow.
.
So we started to wonder. If this March is beginning as neither lion nor lamb, then what is it? In like a polar bear? Like a penguin? Like a snow angel? None of these seemed quite right.
.
.
We looked again for clues, hoping we might find our month's archetypal animal. Still no luck, though we did find the tippy-tops of our lawn chairs, which have apparently seen their shadows and retreated.
.
.
We also found a dairy farmer's tractor, which wandered down our driveway after the snow broke (I repeat: BROKE) our plow guy's plow. But still no lion or lamb.
.
.
As far as Ari was concerned, it didn't really matter that we were no closer to finding an answer to our connundrum. Being in the snow was plenty for her. And that's when the obvious struck me: this March has come in like a husky.
.

17 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Woo pawed that so furry well!

It made fur one furry happy husky in Pawslyvania!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom says John Belushi's pieces on SNL had some good March terms!

Southbaygirl said...

Ari... You are the new March weather term!

Mom and I are amazed at how much snow you've gotten! You must love it! But it does make your paws cold!!!

Velcro

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We so enjoyed reading that. March did come in here with a bit of a bite, but not quite lionesque. Our snow is almost all gone, wish we could take some of yours - those chairs tell the whole story of your winter!!!

If we could have our March come in like a husky like woo, we would be furry happy.

Tail wags, the OP Pack

Eve said...

In like a husky...out like a....hampster...we hope!
PS my plow guy broke his plow in my driveway too!!

Lorenza said...

Maybe they are under all that snow!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

powder-puff said...

Hey Ari

Wowza that is lotsa snow!! Im glad were having a nice warmish march in colorado so far!

lots of love
puff

YourFireAnt said...

Lamb here, ours.

FA

The Army of Four said...

WOWZERS! Can I come over and make a snow fort!?!? Please!?!? It's in the 60s here; tomorrow it's supposed to be 77. HELP!
Play bows,
Zim

Marigold said...

Hmmm...okay, you can keep the Husky snow. I'm quite tired of snow. But the garlic is peeking out of the ground. This is a good sign. :)

Anonymous said...

That meteorological proverb must have resonated with your brother as well since he pronounced March to be "in like a lion" at least three times this week. (We got a whole 5 inches of snow! And twenty degree temperatures! WHOA!)

Anonymous said...

Dawn beat me to it. We definitely had March ushered in like a lion here. As you can guess the city absolutely shut down. The folks at Edward White sure made an impression on us eh? ACC tourney starts next week, we will be in Atlanta. Go Deacs!

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

I hope every month comes in like a husky for you! Huskies are the best.

Here on the other side of the country, we've been having horrible weather. Sunny, 50s, it's jut awful.

Kat

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

My Murphy, the husky, has to agree. His winter photo to be posted tomorrow.

Stella said...

Thanks, Ari, for visiting my blog. Yes, I had the zoomies and it felt good!

When people say things are poking up out of the ground, we would have to shovel deep to find out what is arriving! Soon, I hope.

I will put you on my list of favorite blogs.

Kisses,
Stella

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Wow that is a lot of snow. You had better enjoy it. It maybe the last you see until next season...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Jen said...

Ari makes snow look fun!

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

We heard about that lion, and that is way too much snow. Hope spring comes sooner than later for you!
--JB