Month: March 2023

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April Fool’s Day

“Work? Why, cert’nly it would work, like rats a-fighting. But it’s too blame’ simple; there ain’t nothing to it. What’s the good of a plan that ain’t no more trouble than that? It’s as mild as goose-milk. Why, Huck, it wouldn’t make no more talk than breaking into a soap factory.” Huck Finn’s friend, Tom, trying to convince him to work for him by painting a fence on April Fool’s Day.

No one seems to know the origin of April Fool’s Day. Some believe it started in ancient Rome, where people celebrated the festival of Hilaria on March 25th, a day of merrymaking and pranks. Other sources suggest it may have originated from the spring equinox, a time of rebirth and renewal, when people would play pranks to celebrate the changing season.

The most popular theory, however, is that April Fool’s Day originated in France in the 16th century. In 1582, King Charles IX of France adopted the Gregorian calendar, which shifted the start of the new year from April 1st to January 1st. Some people resisted this change and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1st. These people were mocked and tricked by others, and the tradition of playing pranks on April 1st became widespread.

As in Huck Finn’s day, modern April Fool’s Day is celebrated around the world, with people playing practical jokes on each other and the media often publishing fake news stories for the occasion.

Here are three popular novels that mention the April Fool’s Day celebration in case you’d like to check them out:

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain, a classic novel.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: In one scene of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the Finch children play an April Fools’ Day prank on their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley.

“The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown: This bestselling thriller features an April Fools’ Day prank played by the antagonist, who uses a fake phone call to lure the protagonist, Robert Langdon, into a trap.

 

 

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The Ides Of March

What are the Ides of March?

March is a month, of course, synonymous with the Ides of March–a day famous for the assassination of Julius Caesar. In March fall on the 15th, and it was a significant day in the Roman calendar. Originally a day of celebration, but it later became a day of great tragedy.

Where did it come from?

The Ides of March was originally a day of celebration marking the first full moon of the year in the Roman calendar. The Romans believed that this was a time of new beginnings and rebirth. They would celebrate with feasts and festivals make offerings to the god Mars. It was a day when debts were settled, and it was also a day when officials were inaugurated. It was a time of ceremony and was seen as a turning point in the year.

Beware!

Despite its significance as a day of celebration and new beginnings, the Ides of March is now most famous for the assassination of Julius Caesar. On March 15th, 44 BC, a group of senators led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus, stabbed Caesar to death in the Roman Senate.

Caesar’s assassination was a turning point in Roman history, and it marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. The assassination was motivated by a desire to prevent Caesar from becoming too powerful, and it was seen as a necessary step to protect the interests of the Roman people.

The date’s Legacy

The legacy of the Ides of March has endured for centuries. The phrase “Beware the Ides of March” is famous thanks to William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. The play is a dramatization of the events leading up to Caesar’s assassination and has become one of the world’s most famous works of literature. The Ides have also become a symbol of betrayal and treachery. It is a warning to be cautious of those around you, and to be mindful of the consequences of your actions. In the mythology of calendars, it has become a reminder of the fragility of power, and the importance of accountability and responsibility.

References:

“The Ides of March” by History.com Editors, published on History.com. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https://www.history.com/tag/ides-of-march

“The Origin and History of the Ides of March” by Beverly Hernandez, published on ThoughtCo. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https://www.thoughtco.com/ides-of-march-117776

“Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare, published on SparkNotes. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https:// https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/

Looking for a good read on the Ides of March?

“The Death of Caesar: The Story of History’s Most Famous Assassination” by Barry Strauss. Accessed on March 4, 2023. https://www.amazon.com/Death-Caesar-Historys-Famous-Assassination/dp/1451668791

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Surviving The Writing Experience

I have encountered many aspiring writers who face challenges while working on their manuscripts and I am one of them. Writing a book is a significant undertaking that requires discipline, patience, and perseverance. However, many writers struggle with various pitfalls that hinder their progress.

One of the most common challenges writers face is writer’s block. This occurs when the writer cannot think of new ideas or struggles to put their thoughts into words. Writer’s block can be frustrating and demotivating, leading to procrastination and loss of momentum.

I’m looking in the mirror here, so to speak, but some writers are their own worst enemy. I’m talking about that annoying condition called self-doubt. Doubting yourself and your writing abilities is, unfortunately, a hurdle writers face. It can lead to anxiety, a lack of confidence, and even writer’s block. As writers, we can struggle to believe in ourselves and our work. This can cause us to second-guess our ideas or even abandon of our projects altogether.

Making time to write can be a perpetual problem. Let’s face it, balancing writing with other responsibilities such as work, family, and social life can also be a challenge. It can be hard to find time to write consistently, and the pressure to manage multiple responsibilities can affect the quality of writing.

Looking for a solution? Fortunately, there are a few solutions to these writer’s struggles. One of the most effective ways to combat writer’s block is to take a break from writing and engage in other creative activities. This can stimulate new ideas and provide fresh perspectives. Time management is helpful–in fact, crucial. Set realistic deadlines, prioritize writing time, learn to say no to distractions. Make writing a priority. Setting a routine and writing every day can help build discipline and improve your writing skills.

Overcoming self-doubt can be tricky but victory can be achieved by focusing on your writing strengths. Don’t be so hard on yourself, we all go through it; give yourself the right to stray from the writer’s path so practice self-compassion. Try setting achievable goals and allow yourself to celebrate small victories along the way. Joining a writing group or seeking feedback from other writers can help boost confidence and provide constructive criticism.

I think with these solutions in mind, we writers and aspiring writers can overcome these hurdles and complete our manuscripts and other writing projects with confidence.

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Welcome March!

Licensed under Creative Commons

March is a month of transition, a time when winter starts to give way to spring in the Northern Hemisphere. March is typically drier than February where I live, which is good news for anyone who may have grown tired of winter’s rain and cold. It isn’t all clear sailing, however; March isn’t without its share of stormy weather. Not even close. Blustery winds can whip through the state, sometimes bringing thunder and lightning and the ever-present danger of destructive tornadoes along with them. And while the daffodil may mark the impending arrival of spring, the early blooming flowers can fall victim to late season wintry weather. In fact, in my 76 years, Mother Nature has never failed to drop either frost, hail, ice, or snow (and sometimes all four) on those early blooming beauties.

 

Despite that, or perhaps because of that, the daffodil remains a symbol of hope and renewal in March. The bright yellow flowers’ emergence from the ground is a welcome sight and a sure sign warmer weather is on the way, fingers crossed.

 

In the Northern Hemisphere where I live, March marks the return of the spring equinox. The month derives its name from the ancient Roman calendar and is named after the Roman god of war and Martius, the first month of the original Roman calendar. Then, it was a month of celebration and new beginnings. Today, March is still a time of new beginnings, as clocks are turned forward for daylight saving time. Many enjoy longer days and more time outdoors, although personally I’d prefer it if the practice of daylight savings time was cast aside.

 

Just as the arrival of the daffodils and the start of spring bring hope and renewal, March reminds us that change is inevitable and there’s always something to look forward to, no matter what the weather.