“In the hills, March is a woodpecker drumming in a new season. It’s the liquid trill of tree frogs and the plaintive notes of peepers heralding the return of spring. It’s wild geese winging their way northward over the Smokies and blue jays chattering of new days to come. It’s the sun writing tomorrow’s message on the earth. It’s a time when winter lingers in the lap of spring. It’s gusty days and calm days, chill days and warm days. It’s April whispering from the ridgetops while March goes whistling down the valley. It’s song sparrows in the alders and robins strutting in the pasture. It’s a velvet-coated bumblebee hunting for a nest site and a honeybee buzzing for the first taste of pollen. March is the first daffodils making the whole world golden.”
March in the Hills – These Storied Mountains written by John Parris
———————-
It’s been many years since Parris wrote the quote above, I’m glad to say it’s still what March is like in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
I always look forward to march because it means the end of winter! I like starting the garden.
That’s what it’s like here in the central NC sandhills too. One odd thing we’ve noticed the past few years is, we have two of the big bumblebees that patrol the side porch like it’s their territory. They move aside when I pass, but they’re always there in the daytime. We’ve looked for a nest, but can’t find one, plus – it’s always just TWO of the big bumblebees. Anyone else have just a couple of bumblebees that do that?
God bless.
RB
<><
John Parris would concur that March is also about the Redbud filling the woods. Love a little dose of John Parris every now and then. And the Blue Birds have started building their nest in the old box. Vann http://www.blueridgeimpressions.org
Yes, thankful for the daffodils and warmer weather, for Mr. Parris and for my sister Sherry reminding me of our Daddy’s sweet song!
Tipper,
With only 10 minutes left today, Donna Lynn played my request for The Pressley Girls singing “The River of Jordan.” It’s #40 on the Playlist and I just love the Harmony…Ken
We mustn’t forget Mrs. John Parris (the former Dorothy Bernice Luxton) who illustrated much of his work. Or, perhaps it was her illustrations that inspired his words.
John Alvis Parris Jr.
The Bard of the Mountains
I looked him up on Wikipedia on both Jackson County and Sylva pages. Neither has him as a notable citizen. What is wrong with them people? Maybe all that Cullowhee edumication has gone to their heads.
I’m so lonesome for a mountain springtime!!!!!!
Tipper,
This morning I heard on our local radio “Shepherd of My Soul”, by Paul and Pap. That’s my favorite!
I love John Parris too, but you have those same qualitites of life in the Mountains. Don does too, especially when he goes bushwacking.
I’m beginning to crave a mess of fried taters with Ramps…Ken
Ain’t the sounds and sights of Spring wonderful. God is great.
Tipper: As far as my mother was concerned, just seeing those “MARCH FLOWERS” in bloom was all she needed to start thinking about gardening! Your picture is so beautiful! I have dozens of different kinds that start blooming now and keeps new ones coming on up into April!
Hope your day is WARM!
Eva Nell
March is a pair of bluebirds checking out the nesting site they used last year and the year before – the same one which was used by parents and grandparents before them.
It’s red and salmon blooms on flowering quince at an old home place.
It’s the growl of a roto-tiller, the smell of freshly-turned soil, and thoughts of creamed corn with thick slices of tomatoes.
March is a walk up Bradley Fork with sunshine on your back and wind blown snowflakes peppering your face.
I miss March in the mountains. March in Vermont is a Spring snow with the daffodills peeping up with their green stems, the smell of maple syrup boiling in the sugar houses. Spring is a lot of mud, hoping that you dont get your car stuck in it. Spring is kids wearing their shorts and the temp being a little above freezing. Spring is praying that it doesnt get to warm because you dont want the apple trees to bloom and get nipped. Spring is sking on the mountains in your shorts. Barbara
Ahhhh Tipper, those daffodils make me so homesick for those mountains this morning. Makes me sigh as I have a thankful heart that I was blessed to grow up there. A line from a song my Daddy wrote says, “they say that the good Lord made springtime for love…and a lover of nature is He. When He gave to the world all its beauty, He was liberal to east Tennessee.” ( North Carolina too!)
Tipper,
Another heavy frost this morning in East Tennessee.
Winter is definitely “lingering in the lap of Spring” while April pulls on the apron strings, vying for attention…Maybe the early April showers here at the end of March will raise the temperature and wash away hard winter until next year!
Love those daffodils…they come and go so quickly keeping time like the Mad Hatter (March Hare) in Alice and Wonderland…..
Hopefully the April Cheshire Cat will smile at us from the treetops very soon…
Thanks Tipper,
Love John Parris and his wonderful writing…I wish there was some way I could get every column he wrote for the Asheville Citizen-Times…
Yes Tip, it is all of that and more. Spring is coming and I am so glad!