March 9 Birthday

    Today's March 9th  weather was the nicest I can recall.  I always connected my mother's birthday with the word "harsh."   Of course Ma went outside every day of her life, and for considerable lengths of time too, caring for all the animals and whatever outside chores there were:  wood, stove ashes, lugging kerosene oil, water intake and disposal,  hanging laundry on clothesline, shoveling, etc.  Early March was typically blustery and cold, and it seems she used to contract laryngitis every year at this time.  The hard "r" in the words March, and laryngitis always seemed threatening, and just plain harsh.  I wish peace and comfort for her, but she was never content to remain inside, no matter the weather.