My mother taught us to say “Rabbits” on the first of every month. It should be the first word we uttered upon wakening. Why? She believed it would bring us good luck for the entire month. Apparently the rabbit would hop off with all the problems. Wikipedia – the font of all things (!) – confirms this and offers up an alternative. She could have had us say “bunny bunny foot foot” instead. Thanks for keeping it simple Mom.
I forgot to do it yesterday. Instead my first words were a not so angelic “Stop it!” I’m sorry but it was well before dawn and my dog was barking. In her sleep. Does this mean I’ll have a less than satisfactory March? I hope not. There is so much to look forward to this month.
March Madness 2014
Yes I’m glad it’s finally March. For one thing Spring is on the horizon.
That means plenty of daffodils – one of my most favourite flowers. Perhaps they won’t be in full bloom in my garden but they’ll certainly available for sale at the markets.
It’s also the 60th birthday for a special someone in our family. There will be a slap up party and other festivities. As a tribute I offer up the immortal words of Mr. Noel Coward. Who doesn’t love him?
I’ve been to a marvellous party
I must say the fun was intense;
We all had to do
What the people we knew
Might be doing a hundred years hence…
We talked about growing old gracefully,
And Elsie who’s seventy-four
Said, “A) It’s a question of being sincere,
And B) If you’re supple you’ve got nothing to fear”
Then she swung upside-down from a chandelier!
And I couldn’t have liked it more!
Read the ditty in its entirety here: Divine Comedy – I’ve Been To A Marvellous Party (Noël Coward) Lyrics | MetroLyrics
What’s the March Madness 2014? Snowflakes are falling as I type. Yes. Here on the west coast where we usually only get snow in January if then. It’s crazy. And yet believable. This is what barking-in-her-sleep and I experienced just last Monday.
And finally that lovely rabbit pictured above? In addition to being my version of the March hare she’s the subject of my next post. Who could forget that time my son assured me he’d prep her for travel and ended up forgetting a key item. Oops. Can you say “Mommy Madness?”
Until then enough about my March madness. I’m curious about you. What’s in store for you this month? If you’d care to share I’d love to hear.
27 Responses
Rabbit! Is it too late? I’m all for good luck.
March madness weather is here, too, Kelly. 80 degrees yesterday and 20s today. With sleet. 80 might sound good, but my body says, “WHAT!!!” with that big degree swing. Texas is mad!
March will bring a closing on our Texas home. We’ve been here 5 years (we live life as an adventure) and in that short time I’ve fallen in love with the people in our “little Austin” of a town.
March also brings a trip to the new Renzo Piano Pavilion at the Kimbell Museum in Ft. Worth. Can’t wait.
You have got to be kidding me. 80* one day and 20* the next? Yikes. That must have been quite the adjustment. March is quite a month of change for you! Are you staying in Texas? I can’t remember – please forgive me if you’ve already mentioned it. Enjoy the Renzo Piano P – I’m off to google it.
Yes. Texas weather is wild at times!
We live in Texas. Well, until May. Then full time residency in FL. Hubby in retirement. Sorta. That’s home for me. My daughter and family are there, plus a new grand baby on the way!
So a few more Texan months and then Florida. Nice. You’ve got some lovely things to look forward to Susan!
“Rabbits” is an old English cistom. Sorry, Kel, you will just have to wiggle through the month. It HAS to be the first word uttered loud, even if someone is sleeping beside you and is thus convinced you are totally bonkers. There is one safety valve:if you forget the magic utterance, you have to walk down backwards the first fight of stairs you encounter. Hope this doesn’t make me responsible for a slew of broken bones!
I do remember that safety valve. Phewf! Too late for this month however I’ll tuck it away for next time…
I have never heard the “rabbit”custom before but will start doing this next month. You don’t think I’m jinxing myself with weird karma starting on April Fool’s Day, do you?
Not at all Mo. Perfectly perfect to commence the “rabbits” tradition on April Fool’s Day. My mom has alerted me to the fact that if you fail to say it you can make amends by walking down the first flight of stairs backwards. Tuck that concept away for back up.
So that’s your pet bunny! How CUTE! Awwww bunnies.
OMG we got snow/ice today in Texas!!! It was (no lie) 77 degrees yesterday and today I had to use my ice scraper on the car. WOW. Just wow.
daffodils are so pretty and remind me of Easter. My aunt brought me buckets of beautiful irises that had been on this property for decades. The property was abandoned and was slated to obliteration to make way for an office building, so my aunt dug up the irises and shared them with me. I looked at that part of the garden yesterday, and they’re all coming back, tall and green and marvelous!!!! I don’t know if they’ll bloom this year, but there are already new shoots coming up so I see they’re repopulating already. AWESOME.
Second Texan alert about your weather dip. Wow. What a transition: flip flops to ice scrapers all in one sleep. Yikes. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that without a flight being involved.
How lovely to have those irises. I love them. I was given a whack of tulip and daffodil bulbs a few years back. Yes, the daffs grew however squirrels ate all of the tulip bulbs. Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
Love the rabbit tradition ! I also grew up with it, although ours was “White rabbits”. We were not supposed to eat or speak on the first of each month before we said it ! Interesting how it differs in different parts of the world. I think the White rabbits comes from England where my Mum was from . I still carry on the tradition, and with my oldest daughter, we try to beat each other by text on the first of the month !
So fun Jane. Who won this month – you or your daughter?
Must admit that I did ! As it was a Saturday, I think I was up earlier !!
Yes! Here’s to many firsts of the months falling on weekends!
Ok I am with Mo and will be starting the cutest ever tradition, the bunny tradition, in April. Great photo by the way.
Yeah! My mom has reminded me that should you fail to utter “Rabbits” there is a potential for redemption by walking backwards down the first flight of stairs you encounter. Too late for me this month but I’m tucking that idea away for April.
Did not know the rabbit custom, but that is totally cool! Can’t wait to hear the rabbit story about your son! March is going to be busy around my house, but fun, too! ;)-Ashley
Oh that rabbit story that is about to be told truly tried my patience as a mom. It is a doozy Ashley. Let’s just say my little lad is lucky to still be breathing…
How fun! I’ve never heard of this tradition before 🙂 I’m so glad it’s spring too – even if it doesn’t quite feel like it today. My meyer lemon tree knows though and it’s sprouting a few buds. I also purchased some organic herbs to put in my windowsill in the kitchen and an orchid for the bay window. When it really warms up I’d like to start a berry garden in the yard. Apparently this spring is going to be all about gardening!
How fun Tiffany – a berry garden! My uncle had a lemon tree and he used to make a lemon meringue pie for us when we’d visit. It was such a treat – both to see the lemons growing and the pie.
I’ve never heard of this rabbit custom, but I just might adopt it! Although, like you, Kelly, my first words are often, “Stop it,” “Go back to sleep,” or “It’s okay, honey, I’m just trying to get the cat to stop snoring.”
The other day we awoke to our two dogs fighting in our bed. Yes. We did. They never fight. Turns out a cat had jumped between their sleeping noses and they had both lunged forward. *sigh*
Yes – I can relate Harmony. Our rabbit often wakes me up when she “thumps” out a warning to all the other bunnies in the neighbourhood. Never seems necessary in the daytime.
March is a long month for me, and school was closed for snow today and yesterday. Ugh. I cannot remember ever being so fed up with winter. My dog barks in her sleep all the time, but it comes out like a whimper/bark. It’s kinda cute if I’m awake, but not so much at 4 am.
Fun story! I never knew about the first of the month. I’m adding it to my calendar reminders! LOL.
Remember that should you forget to say it you can always save yourself by walking backwards down the first flight of stairs in your day. at least that’s what my mom says…
Backwards down the steps scare me. Lol
Well it’s best if you’re wide awake. Yes!