Year’s ago Blind Pig reader Kenneth Roper shared the story of his mother telling him and his brothers that March 4th was the command day of the year.
I did some research and discovered March 4th is the only day of the year that can be considered a sentence—March forth. I also discovered there were other folks like Kenneth’s mother who thought of the day as a command day.
A few folks use March 4th as a day to begin a new project or goal while others use it as a nudge to finish a project that has been hanging over them for way too long.
For several years I’ve shared a blog post on March 4th detailing what our family would be doing as we marched forth.
Here’s my list from 2021.
- Matt will march forth to work where he will begin the installation of a new metal building.
- Corie will march forth to work for most of the day and then give a guitar lesson to a nice young lady in Hayesville.
- Katie will march forth to her workbench in the basement to work on her latest jewelry design.
- I will march forth to work on various things for the Folk School including filming an upcoming Morningsong.
And here’s my list from 2022.
- The girls will march forth to pick up groceries for me.
- Upon returning with the groceries, Corie will march forth to run wedding errands.
- Katie will march forth to work in her shop.
- Matt and I will march forth to the gardens where we will clean off beds and add a layer of compost.
I failed to make a March forth list for 2023 and 2024, but I wish I had.
Here’s my list from 2025.
- Matt will march forth to turn the big garden over, bring in a load of wood, and continue to work on preparing for the shed he is building.
- I will march forth to work on videos: filming and editing, and complete blog related tasks.
- Katie will march forth to work at her bench while Ira naps as well as take photos of finished work in preparation for selling it.
- And we will all march forth to care for two sweet babies.
Here’s our list for this year.
- Matt and I will march forth to work in the gardens. We hope to add mulch to the walkways around the greenhouse and we might even manage to har the big garden.
- Paul will march forth to edit a couple of videos he recently filmed, do some music related tasks, and regrip some tennis racquets.
- Austin will march forth to work and strive to do a good job for his employer.
- Along with mothering little Woodrow, Corie will march forth to work on some garden chores and make pico de gallo and tacos for her friend and her husband who just had a baby.
- Along with mothering little Ira Katie, will march forth to her bench in the basement to finish up some jewelry projects and hopefully try out a new beading technique.
I’m a list maker so the idea of a march forth list appeals to me. I also like to think about Kenneth’s mother teaching her boys about March 4th being the command day of the year. I miss Kenneth and I know many of you do too.
Last night’s video: Matt Surprised Me With Another 30 Year Project.
Tipper
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Never thought of this as a command day, but I sure like it!
Thank you for the inspiration! I was able to March fourth & get some good things done today ! Hope everyone is able to march forth however they’re able and for whatever they need . Love & prayers for all .
Randy, it doesn’t make you a sorry person. It means you love deeply. I still can’t tarry too long on my brother or I can’t keep it together. Tears flow now at the mention of him, but I am happy if he can’t be here he is with my Sweet Savior. I’m grateful for that. Without Jesus I have no hope!
Tipper–Like you, I miss Ken, a fellow who represented an awful lot that is special, truly special, about hillbillies. He was a mighty fine example of the species.
Hi Tipper, Matt and Acorns. I loved your “surprise” last night. My Daddy was in the Army and he told us about March Fourth. At Fort Gordon, GS they showed us Army Brats the Forward March 1952 Bugs Bunny cartoon every year. It can be found on YouTube. Today is also “National Hug A G.I. Day” since 1996. I’ll March Fourth starting with special prayers for our Military and World Peace. Then I have to make a pot of Tipper’s New Soup. I also have to make a batch of Tabouleh. I try to keep some in my fridge, Kevin Lee Jacobs makes a great version on his YouTube channel. I’ve already marched fourth and washed towels and hung them on the living room line and the shower rod and the door facings on hangers. I marched out yesterday to the pharmacy and stopped by McD’s and got their new burger. I ate it for breakfast this morning. I’ll not be buying another one. It is still with me at 1: 45pm. I love y’all. I keep everyone here and up Wilson Hollow in my prayers.
I enjoyed Matt’s video last night. His coat rack turned out great, and he seemed so pleased to be surprising you. I was waiting for you to give him a big hug and kiss. Do that often. My Tom and I were married 61 years when he passed 2 years ago. I’d give anything to be able to hug and kiss him again.
Now I’m marching forth to get some cleaning done!
Our day began early this morning. Hubby marched forth to the eye doctor. Then he came home and marched forth to the coffeepot for a much needed cup of the hot stuff. We are both marching forth to play and take care of our three grandchildren. I am about to march forth and make us all a nice lunch. With three little ones in the house, we will be marching forth all day!!
I’m going to march forth and clean out a closet I’ve been meaning to get to. My husband will march forth and work in the yard and when I am finished, I will be joining him. It’s just beautiful today!
Interesting take on a date but it also makes sense to put that twist on the number 4th. I ‘march forth’ everyday into a short exercise session first thing in the morning before breakfast, but later this morning I will also add ‘marching forth’ to see my doctor. Happy marching Wilson Holler family and Acorns! 🙂
I give up. Won’t bother again
Mine disappeared. It was…If I march fifth will I be behind march forth?
Don, the comments don’t show up until I publish them and sometimes it takes me a while if I’m having a busy day. Sorry about that 🙂
🙂
March 5th and you will be directly behind 4th.
This winter has been one of the coldest and darkest I can remember for many years, and March has started just as ugly. It is raining and cloudy again today. It might be a good day to march forth and try to eradicate the millions of ladybugs that have taken residence in my house. One of the universities did a study and found that a bright light placed over a pan of soapy water at night or on a cloudy day is more effective in killing them than any commercial spray we can buy. It’s been hard to cook or watch TV as the stinkers are attracted to light and heat. Country Vet Spray works great on my enclosed porch, but I won’t use it indoors.
I have never heard of this before, very interesting. I am a list maker, tried & true, what a great custom. Getting started on my March fourth list now, thanks Ms. Tipper! What a great job Matt did on his coat rack!
I will March forth to better health. I had 20 radiation treatments in December. I am marching forth to end 6 weeks of antibiotics IV infusions having been going to my local hospital 7:30 every morning and 7:30 every night. God has this. PTL for his comfort, strength, grace, mercy and healing. My ankle wound is finally healing, not completely, but much better. The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid. I pray twice a day for you and your family. I mention everyone of you by name.
Kathy, I’m praying for you!!
Kenneth was a friend of mine! I miss him too.
Hello Tipper, I’m a note taker and journal every day, my life is in my books, yikes! Since we still have tons of snow on the ground and will have for at least another month, my March forths are inside. Today, I will be meeting with a group of ladies to make quilts for people in need (cancer patients, children in foster care, homeless shelters etc). March is a favorite month for me, my birthday, my sister’s birthday. April is too, both my children were Easter babies, 6 years apart. Have a great day everyone!
Last nights video was just so cute. Your response that he had made that for you was precious. Matt trying so hard to make and keep you happy. He feels your grief and as a husband, friend and protector he is handling that the way he knows how to.
This is the 1st I’ve heard of March forth. Thank you. Enjoy your day. Its going to be 75° here in Laurens, SC! 🙂
Hello neighbor- Twin Chimneys Landfill, Hwy25. I have been in the home that had those chimneys many times when I was a child
This is so interesting!!!!! I have always been a chronic procrastinator; so, March 4th/Forth is the perfect day to do anything that you need to get done!!!!! It is also a wonderful way to set your mind to getting things done in the days ahead. The approach of spring is the time of the year I always look forward to the most—spring is the time for new beginnings and rededication to the things that you need to do that you don’t especially enjoy; as well as, the things you really enjoy!!! Also, my birthday is March 11th, so March has always been and will always be my favorite month!!! My father’s birthday was March 1st and I continue to celebrate his Heavenly birthday every year. I was born on my father’s favorite uncle’s birthday; so this always meant a lot to my father, and also to me!!! My husband’s birthday is March 21st, so both of us are very partial to the month of March!!! We also have several friends and relatives who also celebrate their birthdays in March. March 4th is a good day to plan for the coming spring. Today, March 4th (forth) I am picking up a curbside grocery order and then returning home to pack our RV for our annual birthday month trip—we leave early tomorrow morning. We always look forward to this trip and every other RV trip—we go to the same two or three places over and over again but we still enjoy it!!! Our March birthday celebration trip is always our first and favorite trip of the year!!!!! The weather is so favorable to spending a lot of the time outside this time of year, so we can hardly wait to get away for a few days!!!!!
Happy Birthday to you both 🙂 Have a great trip!
Tipper, I am so glad that you and Matt has gotten 2 of your 30 yr projects done. I so enjoy seeing your 2 grandsons playing and learning all the things that they need to have a good life. watching Iran learning to cook with you, helping you and Matt outside with the garden and the creek. And I love the idea of marching forth, making plans. God bless you and your family.
Just like many other days lately. I’ll march forth to take my wife to another doctors appointment. Usually at least one or both of us has one or two each week. We both saw the ‘vampire’ yesterday and she has two appointments today.
Seems like Katie is the only one in your family that’s consistent. She was working in the basement each year.
Today I’m marching forth to travel to Charlottesville with my husband to see our rheumatologist. its only an hour and twenty minutes away but will take up a lot of our time. I do like returning to the mountains and seeing how beautiful it is. We lived there twenty nine years. The yard needs raking off of leaves, twigs, and gravel the snow plow pushed from the driveway into the grass. Tomorrow is supposed to go up to the near eighty’s so I guess yard work can wait until then.
I love this post about March Forth! Today is my oldest grandson’s birthday. He will March Forth with his chocolate cake and share with his co workers!
Hope he has a great day!
I remember that story, or at least you said something about it one time, March 4th, command day, God bless you friends
The struggle is real! To march forth and just TCB takes everything I have. I’m marching forth just living… Watching buses at 7 am, yall, wondering what’s so important at a school from dark to practically dark. It’s ridiculous and reminds me of working in “sweat shops” shirt factories in TN back in the day. I was inspector #9. lol I lived in perpetual darkness for literal pennies a day which was NOT cool! Have a good day, all! Blessings to ya.
March is a busy month of Birthdays in my family and the first one is today! My Mom had 7 grandsons and 5 of them were born just in the month of March! The oldest one and youngest one both born in March.
Today on March the 4th, I will March forth to my work from home computer and do good work for my employer.
Happy Birthday to them all 🙂
Onward Cristian soldiers marching off to war….that was my first thought when I read today’s blog. Have a Bless day.
I have never really heard of anything being special about March 4th. Looking back, I guess on March 4th I would usually march forth to my job at Michelin, unless it happened to be one of my off days. Now a days, it is no different than any other days, I do what I have to do, but start no projects. My project days are about over. If it ain’t done by now, it probably ain’t going to get done. Now with these arthritis knees hurting so much, I guess my priority today will be to march forth and be Energy Efficient, doing that and being lazy are a lot alike!
I promise to shut up after this about the price of Dukes mayonnaise, I saw on the Ingles grocery store ad that starts today, 30 oz Dukes was on sale for $2.99. I guess I might March forth to the grocery store but won’t buy mayonnaise, I have some that I have got to use up first. Story of my life- a day late and a dollar short.
March 4th (forth) now has a different feel to it for me. Three years ago my brother was critically ill and not going to make it. I prayed if the Lord couldn’t heal him that he’d let him march forth on to Heaven and he did on March fifth. It’s one of the saddest times of my life and yet I’m so happy he is there in Heaven, no longer burdened by his broken body. I miss him.
Debbie, over the last twenty years there has been many deaths in my family, two of the hardest, my daughter and then my wife, all of them Christians. I am a Christian and know most of the things that gets told to you concerning Bible verses and other things by well meaning people. Many of us at my church look up to an older man, he said this to me after my wife’s death “ we know they were Christians and are in heaven no longer suffering, but because we are humans, it is the ones they leave behind that are suffering and missing them.” This is so true for me, if this makes me a sorry sinful person, then that is what I am.
I’m going to March forth and plant my grape vines and maybe clean out some flower beds