Rant #2,335: Two For the Price of One

Today, March 20, is an interesting date on the calendar.

Later today, at 5:58 p.m. EST, we move from winter right into spring.

And around that time today, Jews celebrate the holiday of Purim.

Let's talk about the move from winter into spring first.

In many parts of the country, this winter has been one to remember but try to forget.

They have had terrible, devastating weather, with everything from massive snowstorms to floods to whatever else.

Here where I am, this has been about the mildest winter I can ever remember. We have had maybe two or three snowfalls of any great proportion, and one of them actually happened just prior to the coming of winter, in November.

We haven't had much snow because it has been too mild temperature-wise, which has made my allergies go haywire, but that is another story.

I would rather have my allergies go haywire than have to shovel snow, I can tell you that!

What will the spring bring?

Well, at my own personal estimation, these parts are not out of the woods for snow until about April 15, so we have a few weeks to go before we can really breathe a sigh of relief.

Once Tax Day comes and leaves us, there won't be anymore snow; heck, on my birthday on April 28 a few years ago, it got up to 97 degrees!

And I think the summer isn't going to be that great a summer, heat-wise.

I am sure we will have our 90 degree days, but by August, the real summer heat will have passed us by.

Global warming? I have no idea.

Now, as for Purim ...

The holiday commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, who was planning to kill all people of this persuasion way back when, during the times of the Persian Empire in the fifth century BCE.

His plans were foiled by Esther, the Queen of Persia, and this day is celebrated because rather than being the day that all the Jews were killed, it was the day that the plan was thwarted and Haman and his backers got their comeuppance.

For those into the modern interpretation of a strong woman, Esther is really the precursor to all of that, doing what she had to do to save her people.

On this day, observant Jews dress up--it is almost like Halloween--but young girls generally dress up as Esther, the hero of the story.

Hamantaschen, the traditional food eaten to celebrate the holiday, is basically what can be called a danish, usually with fruit in it, which is shaped into the headwear that Haman wore when he made his edict against the Jews.

I have also seen Hamantaschen with chocolate inside of it, but whatever it contains, and whether it is a big pastry or a small one, it must be sweet, to remember one of the sweetest and fun days on the Jewish calendar.

The Jewish community holds parties, parades, and other get-togethers to commemorate the occasion, but the focus is always on Esther, one of the first "strong" women in the Old Testament and certainly the model for such characters as Wonder Woman and other female superheroes.

Well, the coming of the spring season and Purim would be more than enough for one day, but this year, March 20 also signifies another thing.

Tonight, there will be a full moon, so in addition to spring and Purim, we have the werewolves and wolfmen coming out, too.

Take cover, Lawrence Talbot is fast on your tail!

In the classic film "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein," Talbot, played by Lon Chaney Jr., meets up with Bud and Lou and tells them his story of woe.

He tells them that when the moon is full, he turns into a wolf.

"You and a thousand other guys," Costello says with a wink in his eye and a smirk on his face.

Have a good day.