March can be a challenging month

Mother Nature has proven again that she is fickle and unpredictable. We’ve had what Richard Allen, former columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, hailed as the annual Frozen Daffodil Festival. Temperatures dropped into the 20s one night, but back to the 70s in two days.

I was forced into opening the newly packed winter storage boxes to find sweaters and sweatshirts. The spring pastel cottons are hanging useless, while I search for the warmer and heavier shirts and jackets. Somehow, I manage to do this every season change. I rush into changing drawers and closets, only to regret my impatience.

March is not only a challenging month for determining what to wear, but what to do about the plants in the yard. Do you try to cover all the blooming azaleas, forsythia, and iris? Do you cross your fingers and hope they will survive the short freeze? Now, I’m questioning my decision to prune back the roses and crepe myrtle. Should I resist the temptation to purchase and plant vegetable seedlings? My green thumb is itching to get started toward this summer’s harvest.

Though our weather pattern is up and down and all around the thermometer, there are some things you can be sure will occur. The weather will change, night follows day and both raincoats and shorts will be welcome clothing during our spring months.

You can count on something else, as well. The Hot Springs Area Community Foundation is available to help you make smart choices in your charitable giving. Visit us on Facebook or on our webpage at http://www.arcf.org. Click on affiliates and find Hot Springs area. Our board of directors, recent grants and other information is listed. You may call 620-4008 or email at hotspringsarea@arcf.org.