Welcome to March

[JanetB]

The word 'March' comes from the Roman 'Martius'. This was originally the first month of the Roman calendar and was named after Mars, the god of war.

March was the beginning of our calendar year. We changed to the 'New Style' or 'Gregorian calendar in 1752, and it is only since then when we the year began on 1st January.

The Anglo-Saxons called the month Hlyd monath which means Stormy month, or Hraed monath which means Rugged month. All through Lent the traditional games played are marbles and skipping. The games were stopped on the stroke of twelve noon on Good Friday, which in some places was called Marble Day or Long Rope Day.

The game of marbles has been played for hundreds of years and some historians say that it might have been started by rolling eggs. In the past, round stones, hazelnuts, round balls of baked clay and even cherry stones have been used.

Happy 1st March!

[Tropical_Trish]

Well, what a lovely post, very interesting, thanks Jan for posting this.

Right, I shall prepare some of my eggs for rolling, tell hubby he has to play with his marbles, and get my skipping rope out of the garage (?!)
If OH carries on misbehaving he could well end up on Long Rope Day with said skipping rope around his neck ....

[JanetB]

Well, what a lovely post, very interesting, thanks Jan for posting this.

Right, I shall prepare some of my eggs for rolling, tell hubby he has to play with his marbles, and get my skipping rope out of the garage (?!)
If OH carries on misbehaving he could well end up on Long Rope Day with said skipping rope around his neck ....

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[billsstamps]

Beware the Ides of March!

Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry "Caesar!" Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.

Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.

Caesar:
What man is that?

Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15–19

(Not to worry, it is not until the 15th)

[astral276]

Rats! I forgot it was a 28 day month. I thought I still had two days left.

[JanetB]

Good one Bill!

[suesjools]

Interesting, thanks Jan for sharing this.

Best wishes for many sales to all,