It’s March 1st.
Nebraska’s 156th birthday!
More importantly, we are somewhere on the racetrack’s backstretch of winter.
A Box Butte County winter that is not being run by Secretariat, but Zippy Chippy.
In other words, don’t bet big money on this winter truly ending at 3:24 pm MDT on Monday, March 20.
Even though this month’s 31 days include nearly 20 days of winter, there are several aspects of March that are meaningful.
Basketball championships, my daughter’s birthday, and more daylight tops the list.
So, while we await April, let’s share the highs and lows of each month of the year.
From what I perceive as the most depressing month to that most filled with joy.
January.
Highs: NFL playoffs and college football bowl games, my grandson’s birthday, basketball, and daily minute by minute extended daylight.
Lows: Cold, ice, and wind that hurts my exposed skin, darkness, influenza and other illnesses, wearing heavy clothes, cold feet, cold hands, cold face, dead vehicle batteries, high heating bills, everything is either brown, white or grey, and plowed in driveways and vehicles.
February:
Highs: Valentine’s Day, The Super Bowl, basketball, and the fact that February only has 28 days.
Lows: Same as January.
March.
Highs: Husker baseball is in full swing, basketball championships, my daughter’s birthday, the Lenten Season, increased daylight, slightly warmer temperatures, and the fact that I no longer must forfeit an entire weekend with no pay to work the KCOW Home Show.
Lows: It’s still too dark, too cold, and the heating bills are still too high.
April.
Highs: Easter weekend, Major League Baseball begins, increased daylight, the grass and plants slowly turn green and other colors.
May.
Highs: Winter is finally over and it’s time to fire up lawnmowers. Also, seeing farmers in their fields, moderate gas and electric bills, Memorial Day weekend, extended daylight and my wife’s birthday.
Lows: I usually still need to wear a jacket in the morning.
November.
Highs: Football, Thanksgiving, Husker volleyball and the anticipation of the Christmas season.
Lows: The high school and college football seasons draw to a close, decreasing daylight and increasing cold.
June.
Highs: Summer begins, rain showers, the days of the year with the most daylight, peaceful evenings and calm mornings.
Lows: Tornados, lightning, and higher humidity.
December.
Highs: Christmas, colorful lights, beautiful music, my youngest daughter’s birthday, Santa, snow and the incredible anticipation offered by young people.
Lows: Cold.
August.
Highs: Days at the lake or pool, football begins, shirtsleeve weather and the county fair.
Lows: Back to School, the days are getting shorter, intense heatwaves, higher electric bills for air conditioning, closing the swimming pool in the middle of the month when it is 95 degrees and drought.
September.
Highs: Fall sports are in full swing, the changing colors, cooler temperatures and, hopefully, the return of rain.
Lows: Decreasing daylight. During September, we lose one hour and 23 minutes of daylight.
July.
Highs: My birthday, Independence Day, our wedding anniversary, carefree evenings, calm, warm mornings, lake activities and backyard gatherings.
Lows: Decreasing daylight. During July, we lose 47 minutes of daylight.
October.
Highs: Football, football, football and more football! Brilliant colors, harvest, comfortable temperatures (for most of the month), Halloween and football.
Lows: Cooler overnight temps that result in frost, scraping my vehicle’s windows in the morning (which only reminds me that winter is approaching), and a continued decrease in daylight. During October, we lose one hour and 21 minutes of daylight.
My synopsis of this order of monthly likes and dislikes: I’m glad I am not a blind man living in Antarctica.