In Like a Lion

Tea Time
Written by Nicki Wilcoxson

When one hears the word “spring” as in “Spring has Sprung” I imagine that there are many words and concepts that spring to mind—tulips, daffodils, crocus, rain, Easter, Easter eggs, pastels, beautiful spring days, spring break, warmer weather and all the pleasant feelings that are associated with the end of winter, cold, snow, and ice. If you are currently experiencing any or all of those wonderful feelings (even though it isn’t technically spring”) and you have been plunged into a frenzy of spring cleaning, open windows, and the reappearance of summer clothing, then you probably don’t live in the Texas Panhandle. Most of us have always heard that March comes in “like a lion and goes out like a lamb” and that is most assuredly the way it is in Amarillo and surrounding areas. The lion is roaring very loudly outside my house today!

March is without a doubt my least favorite times of the year and that feeling applies all too often to spring in general. I think that for me, March of 2009 has all the makings of an especially unpleasant time. In other words, I have a really “frowny” face when I think about it. We have not had rain since October, and as for snow, well, there were no snow days, sledding, snowmen, or snowball fights in Amarillo this winter. I bought a pair of Ugg boots with the idea that they would be so warm and cozy for the cold snowy days to come and I have to say that was not money well spent (in more ways than one if you know what I mean). I wore them once, for heavens sake!” Yes, we have had some cold days, but not enough to even kill the flies. I expect to see a mosquito at any moment.

Obviously, the lack of needed cold weather and snow, has made many people here very happy. Golfers are at the top of the list along with people who work outdoors. February was an especially glorious month and I don’t mean that as a compliment. On my calendar, February stands for days with snow, warm fires in the fireplace, and hot chocolate (perhaps I should say, hot tea because this is TEA TIME). I love my coat, gloves, and scarf. All winter long, I saw people dressed in shorts, short sleeves, and even flip-flops while I wore jeans, sweater, and a jacket. What is wrong with these people??? Just because it is 70 or 80 degrees doesn’t mean it is time to “dress down” does it?

I can best describe the weather in March here in the Panhandle as mercurial (changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic). March is just a big “tease”. The temperature can jump from 50 or less on one day to 80 or more the next and then back to cold. It is necessary to keep clothing from the winter wardrobe ready at a moment's notice and the summer wardrobe unpacked (if you ever packed it away) hanging close by—freezing in the morning and too warm in the afternoon. Days that start out with the wind calm and steady often end with gale force winds of 35 to even 50 or 60 mph. I hate it when the weather man talks about those highs and lows and dry lines that ebb and flow across us. Rain and snow fall on other towns and cities, but not here.

Because of the “drought” when the wind does sweep across the Panhandle, it is filled with sand and dirt and tumble weeds that roll down the alley and streets, packing tightly next to our fences, and houses. We can only hope for a change in the wind direction before we have to be the one to haul them who knows where! It is like playing tumble weed volleyball with our neighbors in Dumas or Lubbock. Spring Cleaning just doesn’t happen in March! When doors are opened, dead leaves and grass blow in and demand to be “swiffered” one more time. Fine layers of dust on the furniture lend themselves to someone finger printing, “dust me” for all to see. (not in my house, of course! LoL or maybe that would be like a “grim grin”.) And then, as if March feels remorseful for its bad behavior, he (I think of March as male) gives us a deceptively lovely break in the form of a day of exceptional beauty and blesses us with lovely early daffodils, hyacinths, and crocus all of which will be ripped to shreds when the wind and dirt decide to whip and sandpaper them the next day.

March also brings the much anticipated Spring Break. School children and parents look forward to being outside, working in the yard, and the opportunity for children to have a prelude to summer. All too often, the reality of these carefree days are dashed as long delayed snow and ice sweep from the north to be followed by wonderful weather the next week when children are once again back in school and locked in classrooms. All in all it seems that planning a ski vacation to New Mexico or Colorado would be preferable to enduring a week at home with cranky kids. Oh Mercurial March….. What have you wrought upon us? I mean really, who wants to wear Uggs in March! I just say, “ugh” instead.

Sadly, March is also the time of year when young athletes find themselves freezing on the tracks, baseball fields and golf courses—that is when they aren’t sweltering on the unseasonably hot days. Spectators at track meets and baseball games travel with blankets, coats, and hats to fling around themselves just when the weather men predicted warm and we were given cold instead.

That the “time change” demanding that we spring forward comes March 8 is only fitting. Perhaps just one more inconvenience to add to an already not so delightful month.

On the other hand, maybe March has to be March with all of its uncertainty so we can appreciate April all the more. When March blesses us with those beautiful days, we can take the time to stop and look for the hints of beauty that are still covered and pushing to get past the leftover leaves in the flower beds. Gently we can remove the debris and remnants of dead plants to make way for the living and growing. We can take deep breaths of clean air (when the wind isn’t blowing) and fill our bodies and minds with the promise of more to come. When the wind blows I need to remember that with wind comes an abundance of wind energy! We can be thankful for the snow and rain even if they come during spring break because we so badly need them and the kids can love building the snowmen in March just as much as they would have in December or January. We can be thankful that our young athletes are strong and resilient enough to persevere through the bad weather and that we fans are willing to stand watch and cheer even when it means we have to be strong and resilient, too. And, when the dust and dirt fill my house day after day, it’s probably only because I love to clean house often. Okay, maybe that is a stretch! This year we can even trust that March will be willing to bless us by going out like a lamb! I won’t even mention the threats of tornadoes and destructive hail and wind that come with the rest of spring.

The bottom line is that this cranky old lady needs to do a hand stand so the frown becomes a smile and count my blessings instead of cursing poor misunderstood mercurial March.

Oh my, did I forget to mention the appropriately named March Madness? Let the games begin!