Tag: Ash Wednesday

Spring into March: Key Dates You Should Know

In March we observe Daylight Saving Time on March 9, St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, and the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Key events include Match Day for medical students and National Doctor’s Day on March 30, along with Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, honoring veterans.

February, the shortest month of the year, is followed by March, one of the longest at 31 days. There are five Sundays in March, and a long list of holidays and happenings.

Daylight Saving Time-March 9

Depending on where you live, you may need to remember to spring forward into Daylight Saving Time

Most of the United States will change to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 9, 2025. To do so, set your clock one hour ahead unless your device automatically changes. If you have to awaken at a specified time, you will “lose” an hour of sleep unless you go to sleep an hour earlier.

Your body will tell the difference until your sleep cycle adjusts; I know mine always does. The Sleep Foundation offers these tips to make the change easier.

St. Patrick’s Day

Monday, March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Learn more about the Saint at this earlier post.

For the love of God-St Patrick and St Paul

Saint Patrick, born in 4th century Britain, was kidnapped to Ireland but later escaped. He returned as a missionary on March 25, 433, converting many people and establishing churches despite initial conflict with local chieftains. Saint Paul, a significant biblical writer, spread Christianity around the eastern Mediterranean, emphasizing God’s love through his letters.

Keep reading

Ash Wednesday-March 5

Christian Lent begins the first week in March on Ash Wednesday, March 5.

Welcome Spring

We will welcome the first day of Spring, Thursday, March 20,  in the northern hemisphere, with the occurrence of the vernal equinox. In the southern half of the globe, people will enter autumn.

Health tips for spring you can use now

Most of the United States switches to Daylight Saving Time on the second Sunday in March, with some states considering year-round DST. The first day of Spring in March brings the vernal equinox, leading to increased daylight until the summer solstice. The equinox signifies roughly equal day and night in both hemispheres. Spring brings health…

Keep reading

 

Residents’ Match Day

It’s the day graduating medical students find out what residency program they will join through the National Resident Matching Program, which “matches” them with available positions in residencies all over the United States.

Why should you care? This matching process determines who will care for our medical needs in the next 30-40 years; our family physicians, internists, pediatricians, general surgeons, obstetricians, dermatologists, psychiatrists, and a multitude of other medical specialties.

Most doctors will continue in the same specialty their entire career, although some switch after a few or many years. Some pursue more than one specialty training.

The surprising new doctors caring for you

Who will be your next doctor? What will your future doctor look like?

Your doctor within the next 10-20 years is likely in medical school or a residency program in a United States medical center right now. Within 1-10 years, they will join the ranks of practicing physicians, while some currently in practice will change…

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National Doctor’s Day

March 30 has been designated National Doctor’s Day in the United States.

The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 30, 1933, in Winder, Georgia. The idea came from a doctor’s wife, Eudora Brown Almond,  and the date was the anniversary of the first use of general anesthetic in surgery(although several other dates also claim that distinction.)

The Barrow County (Georgia) Medical Society Auxiliary proclaimed the day “Doctors’ Day,” which was celebrated by mailing cards to physicians and their wives and by placing flowers on the graves of deceased doctors.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established a National Doctors’ Day first celebrated on March 30, 1991.

Of course, the most important physician for you to honor is your own personal physician.

 

Vietnam War Veterans Day

In my home, we observe not only Doctor’s Day, for me, but also Vietnam War Veterans Day, because my husband is one.

 Vietnam War Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families, part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who didn’t receive a proper welcome upon returning home more than 40 years ago.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived on American soil. It is also the date President Nixon chose for the first Vietnam Veterans Day in 1974.

Read about an actual event in the Vietnam War, written by my husband Raymond Oglesby.

Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath Kindle Edition

Read it free with Kindle Unlimited or pay $2.99 (this is an affiliate link)

Cover Illustration

The cover picture featuring clocks and colorful flowers was created with the JetpackAI feature of WordPress. (affiliate link)

 

exploring the HEART of health in the spring

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

 

Dwell in the Word during Lent

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Using this affiliate link helps support this blog and my mission to share the heart of health wherever needed all over the world. Please join me.

February -fun, feelings, fasting, and freedom

February features unique events like Groundhog Day, which began in 1887, and Valentine’s Day, associated with love and the patron saint of epilepsy. The month also includes Ash Wednesday marking the Lenten season and President’s Day honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. February, though brief, is rich in history and celebration.

updated February 17, 2025

February is an interesting month. It’s the shortest month of the year, although every 4 years is a day longer, due to leap year, creating February 29.

A leap year is a calendar year that contains an additional day compared to a common year. The 366th day is added to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or seasonal year. 

Wikipedia

Fun-Groundhog Day

The month starts with a FUN holiday known as Groundhog Day. You may be more familiar with the movie of the same name, which was also funny with a reflective message.

“Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and written by Ramis and Danny Rubin. Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. It stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event, is caught in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day.” (Amazon affiliate link and quote)

I can understand how that feels after my husband was in a hospital for 10 days earlier this year. I felt like I was living the same day over and over. Even after he came home, during his continued convalescence, our days tended to feel the same until he regained his strength and stamina.

Anyway, if you’ve never seen the movie I recommend it for a good laugh as well as for the message. Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray are at their finest in these roles.

The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. by German immigrants.

History.com

The real Groundhog Day is supposed to predict whether or not we will have an early spring. You can learn about it at this link.

tree with red leaves shaped like a heart
William Shakespeare, English playwright,, poet, and actor

graphic from Lightstock.com, stock photo site, affiliate link

Feelings-Valentine’s Day, February 14

When I say Valentine’s Day what comes to your mind? Love, hearts, cards, candy, jewelry, and romantic dinners? But probably not seizures.

Saint Valentine-patron of lovers and epilepsy.

St. Valentine of Terni, a third-century Roman saint, was known for healing the sick. Valentine had been imprisoned for secretly marrying couples despite the edict of Roman Emperor Claudius II which forbade Roman soldiers to marry, for possibly diminishing their efficiency on the battlefield. As the legend goes, he restored the sight of Julia the daughter of Asterius his jailer.

People believed epilepsy (a brain disorder causing seizures) was caused by a supernatural event such as a curse or possession by an evil spirit. Since there was no cure for epilepsy healing was only possible by divine intervention and saints were called upon to intercede for these patients. 

very few people know he , Saint Valentine, also was helpful and beneficent to people with epilepsy in ancient times.

Saint Valentine: Patron of lovers and epilepsy
https://catholicresources.education/products/st-valentine-free-pdf?_pos=1&_sid=25c32cc23&_ss=r

February 14 is also National Donor Day. Registering as an organ donor means you may save someone’s life-or someone may save your life.

February 14 is National Donor Day. Registering as an organ donor means you may save someone’s life-or someone may save your life.

Fasting-Ash Wednesday

In 2024, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is also on February 14.

In 2025, Ash Wednesday returns to March, on the 5th.

Lent, in the Christian church, is a period of preparation for Easter, which will be on March 31, 2024.

During Ash Wednesday mass or services, a minister distributes ashes by lightly rubbing the shape of a cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The tradition of tracing a cross on the forehead is meant to identify the faithful with Jesus Christ.

Follow this blog for posts about fasting for Lent.

George Washington, New York City
Abraham Lincoln, Washington, DC
photos by Dr. Aletha and Raymond Oglesby

Freedom-President’s Day, third Monday

On the third Monday in February, we honor our first President, George Washington, whose birthday is February 22. We also traditionally honor President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12.

archives.gov

“Contrary to popular belief, neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to ‘President’s Day.’”

census.gov
Two United States presidents are honored in February, their birth month.

With the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, George Washington helped the American colonies gain FREEDOM from rule by an English king in 1776 as General of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence, and then as the republic’s first President.

As President, Abraham Lincoln extended FREEDOM to enslaved persons in the Confederate states when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and led the fight to “preserve the Union” as commander-in-chief of the Union military during the Civil War.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

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