Roller coaster ride
Looks like the month of March came in like a lamb Sunday morning, with sunny skies. Here lately the weather has been like a roller coaster ride, up and down. Some days spring weather and some days cold temperatures. I am hoping that spring is here for us, with the warm temperatures and the days getting some length to them and some of the flowers coming through the ground.
Guess we have to wait and see what the month has in store for us. Let’s hope the end of the month will go out like a lamb as well.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Everyone seems to know all about Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday. It refers to events of the carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.
These are great celebrations, for some people, but we do not always remember their reason for being. They are the lead up to a quiet period of self examination called Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. Ashes are an ancient symbol of our basic human need for healing and hope. During Lent, we are invited to consider our need for healing and hope in preparation for the new life of Easter. The ashes are a reminder of that.
Ash Wednesday was Feb. 26. In a gesture of ecumenism, openness and hope for healing, clergy of local churches from Catholic to Baptist, including Episcopal, Unitarian, and Methodist, offered ashes in the Washington town square. Different churches and beliefs came to receive ashes on their forehead.
Ecumenical Lenten services begin on March 4, and continue through the next four Wednesday nights at Washington Baptist Church including a delicious potluck dinner. This year’s theme, “Healing a Hurting World,” which takes its inspiration from II Chronicles 7:14.
Each service will focus on a specific aspect of healing: grace, mercy, peace, hope and loving kindness. As in past years, area congregation, clergy, and choirs will come together to participate in this very special series of community Lenten service.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
A wonderful lady, Beverly Sullivan, will be celebrating her birthday on Thursday, March 12. Happy Birthday Beverly!
Birthday wishes also go out to Sam Snead, who celebrates his big day March 13; Kerry “Kiki” McCaslin, daughter of Rappahannock News Editor John McCaslin, whose special day is March 16; Stacy Clark, whose special day is March 19; and to a very special girl, Aubrey Taylor Burke, who celebrates her day on March 18. Other wishes for the month of March go to my grandson, Jackson Brady Carter Clatterbuck who will celebrate his special day on Sunday, March 22, Ivy Racer and Charmaine Lee on March 24, and to my daughter Christie Estep who will be celebrating her special day on March 30.
Our pets are not animals that are fed and then left alone. They are like our children and our friends. They become an inseparable part of our lives. There’s not a day that passes by that they don’t do countless things to put a smile on our faces or make you laugh. Every creation of God has its special birthday, and for “Weeble” his birthday is on St. Paddy’s Day, March 17, according to his owner, Joan Platt. He will turn 12. Joan and Weeble are residents of Washington.
FIREHOUSE TREASURES
Firehouse Treasures will be closed from Thursday, Feb 27, reopening on Tuesday, March 10. During that time they will be switching gears into spring and summer.
Their spring hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 540-675-1245.
SPRING FORWARD
Don’t forget daylight savings time begins at 2 a.m. this Sunday, March 8. “Spring forward” an hour. I’m looking forward to those longer days!
Have a wonderful week.