I’m not a fan of March – it’s not a relaxing month like January, or a ‘looking forward’ one like February when everything reopens ….it’s a long one, filled not with promises but just a realisation that things will change….a month I associate with ‘letting go’.
I accept the season changes – there’s not much we can do about that….it’s the letting go of the light that bothers me, that gradual loss of daylight. I don’t mind the cooler temperatures (to a point) but that loss of light drags me down
It’s also a month to let go of possessions – publicly on the kerb or privately at the op shop. I finally accepted there were so many much loved but now unneeded items and (sadly) let them go….…including my last pair of well used tap shoes
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March is the month we ‘let go’ of Dad’s hand and left him to lie in the little graveyard opposite the pub in a little village in Nottinghamshire.….that’s the building on the bend with the white front. Mum joined him a few years later and we jokingly imagine the two of them, Irish to the core – both partial to a drink or two – lying there, cursing us, not being able to get to the pub
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So what else has happened over the past few weeks
It’s been what I call a ‘trampoline’ month full of ups & downs – good/bad – happy/sad
We went to the cinema to see – What’s love got to do with it – discovered the gift card had expired and (unlike other cards that were honoured because of covid) this chain said ‘Sorry no go’ so paid our way. After a bit of online discussion (by The Golfer) with the parent company we now have a card loaded with the outstanding amount from the other one😊
My hairdresser J finally retired – a sole trader, he just closed up without selling the business….oh dear we’re back to going through that awful position of looking for a new one. Been there – done that – and returned to J! After a strange conversation with a stranger (don’t ask) I’ve found another one….. close to home in a suburb I don’t normally visit. And he’s good, really good….and slightly less expensive as well!😊
Annoyed on returning to my parked car to discover that somehow somebody had managed to break the glass on one of my rear lights fitting…..
More than annoyed when discovered the whole light fitting had to be replaced not just the cover. Not cheap to buy from and have fitted at the dealer!
The Golfer to the rescue again….many phone calls later to businesses in suburbs I never knew existed he finally located one; way out past Dandenong. Less than $100 v several hundred…good man…paid for our lunch on our ‘day trip’ to pick it up plus was able to fit it himself😊
Lunch in a special spot in Olinda on a warm sunny day
Coffee in another in Montrose on a cool cloudy one
Hot water bottle in bed for my toes some nights
That’s Melbourne in March 😊
There’s been more ‘getting to know you’ occasions/monthly meetings with my new groups.
Happy to be in the new book club, discovering new authors – shame I don’t have the inclination to read their books.
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Happy to be involved with the new Probus club – shame I had to leave my previous one because of the difficult circumstances. I miss those Ladies but the new ones are very friendly and welcoming, knowledgeable and fun too😊
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Happy to have joined the new choir, sad my happy-go-lucky one folded….but am now being exposed to new music and attitudes
Who knew there was an alto voice part written for Bye Bye Blackbird. Yes it’s pitched a bit lower than the upbeat melody part – and sounds a bit ‘flat’ sung separately but blends in nicely when both parts are sung together
And I can’t leave without saying something did happen to put me in a better frame of mind
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Beach Days – Imagination v Reality
Even though there’s been no sitting on the beach for us this Summer it won’t be long before we do so.
Our booking request was made – and accepted- deposit has been sent – and received – so it looks like our annual trek/trip to FNQ for the Winter is on again this year😎
Sharing with a new monthly link up – ‘What’s been on your calendar’. .
Looking at Life – March
And Don’t Forget – if you want to see it best……Click/ tap or finger slide to enlarge
Still Waters 
Love the painting ‘On The Beach’!
“a month I associate with ‘letting go’”
My oh my, you hit the nail on the head with that! March is two for two for me these days. It is the month my beloved Granny passed (1976), and it is the month the man I loved passionately passed (1996). But it is also the month my Mom sent a little something out of the blue, this year, a sentiment never to be forgotten, and the month Attila and I wed. Perhaps no other event will tip the scales one way or the other, but if such an event occurs I hope it is one of love and hope.
I’ve been going through my filing cabinets to “let go” of paperwork, a long overdue activity, needed for decades. I am still at it, having begun the process on the first of March! I’ve also ditched a banking institution that just wasn’t working in my best interest, and that is such a relief!
April is oh so close, and will be a welcome month!
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Wow March really is a memorable month for you isn’t it Maggie. That was a great gift to receive from your Mum – yes there definitely was love involved there.
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I think I should “look” at various “letting them go, again” as well. The early graveyard mornings just went into cold mode…looks like aircon must switch to heat mode. But first, rejig bedding.
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Thankfully it’s not quite reached the ‘cold’ temperature yet….ooh chilly then the sun comes out and not too bad- haven’t put the heating on just snuggling up with blankets.
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A patchy month here too. Except that they have all been patchy for a while.
As you know I like the cooler weather but I am with you about the loss of light. It is now pitch dark for some hours after I get up and I will welcome the end of daylight saving this weekend.
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It would be a strange old world if we all had the same likes and dislikes wouldn’t it. We’re about at half and half days at the moment- equal ‘day/night’. It’s strange that sunrise will be at approx 7.30 tomorrow yet come Sunday it’ll be at 6.30
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March is such a busy month for us with four family birthdays and sometimes Easter thrown in. Heating has been on the last couple of mornings and I am working out how to productively use the extra hour on Sunday morning. Fear not, I won’t work it out.
I was thinking a car wrecker would be a good place to get a new lamp fitting.
It is always a nuisance when you lose a hairdresser but it sounds like you have found a good replacement.
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The Golfer tried several wreckers but no luck – also tried spare parts places as well. I think it was on his last call he struck lucky. We haven’t resorted to putting the fire on yet but that’s a possibility soon with overnights going down this weekend
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Oh I love your tap shoes, Cathy. I grew up dancing and had my own Ballet/Tap/Jazz and Highland dancing school from the age of 15 until I moved to Queensland in 1988. We recently had a kerbside collection and it is always interesting to see what people are throwing out. We did a big declutter when we moved recently and certain sentimental items are so difficult to let go of. Thanks for sharing you March and What’s Been On Your Calendar? I look forward to seeing what you get up to in April. xx
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Lol Sue, we seem to learn more and more about each other each week. I loved my dancing days! My shoes had been tucked away for a few years and just by chance a friend mentioned her teenage granddaughter had had a growth spurt, the mother was reluctant to pay the cost of new (larger adult sized) ones so I offered them to her.
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I adore your tap shoes – and the trip down memory lane in them. Plenty of light and shade in this month – endings and new beginnings…and a trip to FNQ to look forward to. Thanks for linking up with us.
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Hello Jo. I always knew I’d have fun when wearing those shoes so I passed them onto a teenager who wants fun to be in her life as well. And yes we’re certainly looking forward to our winter weeks in Bowen – it’s been our winter home for many years now
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Love that “On the Beach” painting. The Tap shoes were also special and must have brought back heaps of memories.
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Isn’t it just true to life Sue. If you click the link you’ll discover much about the distinctive style Dorothy Braund from Melbourne.
I was sad about parting with my shoes – my feet have become wide so I couldn’t even get them on so couldn’t have used them if I wanted to – happily they went to a friend’s teenage granddaughter who now has adult size feet
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That always makes me feel good when I can pass on something to a young one. A camera of mine has gone that way. 🙂
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Funny that the artist should be a “Pies fan” I’ve just been for a walk and passed a group decked out in SA “Pies” colours. It’s showdown night.
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We have had the fire going the last few nights and today it’s been going since this afternoon.
I don’t mind the shorter days. Not at first. But by the end of winter I do look forward to the summer shine. I envy your yearly trip to FNQ. Hubby and I might have to start doing the same thing. Keep the cold out of the old bones
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Both in our 80s now so (reluctantly we’re going to have to think about giving it up some time Angela. If you’re able to leave the business in others hands go for it, you have the benefit of years to do the yearly trips to find and enjoy the warmth
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Oh my, this was a nostalgic post, and I so get it too. This time of life, and letting go of what no longer serves purpose. I understand. We did a LOT of that in the past year. I admit we are missing the odd thing we regretted giving away but a smaller house and space makes us happy we did. I was sad reading about leaving the probus club but groups/cliques can be challenging. So pleased your winter holiday is BOOKED!
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That’s my one fear….will I need it again. These possessions are like security blankets, needed not to brag about but needed (in our minds) so we can live our lives comfortably. Why are we so hesitant about giving them up when we lived life quite well before we acquired them
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It’s something I know I had to struggle with and then let go…especially around sentimental and practical pieces of crockery for example. B and I rarely used any of it, and in fact graduated to all melanine….so, in the end, I said ‘goodbye’ to the wedding gift china as it went to various family members and then the tea cups/saucers no-one wanted, went with gratitude from them, to the local Vinnies. I know I was always a ‘but what if we needed it again’ person but knowing we literally had to downsize helped. B, on the other hand, was thinking he wouldn’t use tools again as our initial plan was to go into a unit. After he sold or gave away just about everything, we made the choice to go to a house…with a garage, and he has had to buy a couple of tools for maintenance reasons. OH. I get all of this and send my love.
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We can see why you were centre stage – look at that body line …..
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Not quite so nimble (or flexible) now – trying to do a shuffle off to Buffalo’ would have me tripping over my own feet!
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It is always easier for me to let go of things when they have an appreciative new owner so it’s nice to know your tap shoes are going to bless a newer dancer.
The days suddenly seem short and there’s a chill in the air today. Only a week ago it was sticky and hot and now winter is upon us. I don’t mind the shorter days or cooler weather but it has taken me by surprise this year.
You seem to be having a lot of small successes which is great, life keeps ticking on and we adjust to the changes better when things are good
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‘She’ loves them….which does make feel good Kylie. Like you I prefer to give something direct rather than donate to a charity but there are times when that just doesn’t happen.
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Well well, I didn’t know you were a tap dancer, you looked amazing. I feel we your readers need to know more please. Letting go is hard, but you took the photo and gave the shoes new life to keep dancing. I’m so pleased you joined new groups and like them. Groups do have a lifespan and when they fold it’s so important to find new ones. So glad your holiday plans are in place.
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Of all the things that happened in March for a little while there letting those shoes go seemed to have affected me the most. It sounds silly but I felt as though I’d lost something from my younger days (middle age and beyond) my vitality and love of performing – thankfully I’ve come to my senses and am happy my friend’s granddaughter will now enjoy the thrill the same as I did
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Hi, Cathy – Thank you for joining us for What’s Been on Your Calendar. I hadn’t originally thought of it that way, but March is a great month for letting go…and welcoming the new. Wishing you a wonderful April ahead!
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April is going to be a great month – I can feel it already!
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I’m completely the opposite. I enjoyed the march into March…I prefer the cooler weather. We had a few hot days during March, but the cooler temps prevailed. Now April has arrived, and my smile goes wider. I even put another cover on my bed last nigh…a lightweight blanket, but another addition it is. And, Shama, my furry bed mate is happy about that. She’s presently still curled up on it. 🙂
How very frustrating, and very annoying it was for you, the smashed tail light. To add to that, the person who did it didn’t have the guts and decency to acknowledge what they’d done, and left some form of contact!
It’s was interesting to learn you used to tap dance, Cathy. My mother used to in her hey day (her maiden name was “Hay”, too, every day!) She taught me a few steps when I was a kid, but the only time I exhibited my lack of talent was within our own four walls! 🙂
Take care.
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After the heat and humidity of summers in Queensland I think you would certainly welcome cooler days and even chilly nights Lee. Yes the broken light cover was a bit of a nuisance so it was good we managed to repair it quite quickly as I think it could be classed as unroadworthy
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This was a pleasant post to read. Somehow, you and hubby managed to get good deals, making lemonade out of lemons. Good that you are booked for your vacation on the beach. Best wishes and God bless.
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I enjoyed your post Cathy, the good and the bad bits of the month. You really are creative with your dancing and singing, bookclubs and Probus groups. I love those artworks too! The trip to FNQ will be timely for you. Thanks for joining us for #WBOYC and all the best for April.
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