March blew in and out as usual with the weather flip-flops between summer and winter. A few glimpses of Spring appeared, bringing hope for the life garden. It would be nice if strong winds moved life’s noise like branches, clearing out what needs to be pruned without ever hearing it. Everyone has different ideas of what that noise is or where it belongs. No room for noise seeds here. The regular seeds take enough work without adding nonsense to it.
The above is how I’ve opened the monthly newsletters with something to match the title, then leaving it to readers to figure out how or if it resonates. Hang on, the March Winds are about to blow things around a bit.
The usual sections are included, keeping it lighthearted - they will get a few tweaks in April’s newsletter. There will be another post with the nuts and bolts around the March R Meadow Garden.
Back to the March Winds blowing out life’s noise and what that means here. As I’ve heard other writers say, the hope is that you leave here feeling better than when you came. I try to keep it positive, but still real. That is not because I don’t feel certain topics deeply or wouldn’t love to share my not-so-popular opinions. It is because that is all they are, and there is a place for it, I suppose. They just don’t belong here.
I try to keep an open mind within the life God has for me. Life gardens may be different, varied approaches, what we feel deeply about or let go, how we say it, and so on. One thing is clear. If I open a note or post that feels like a bee sting, it gives me pause, regardless of where it came from. Words that do not leave me better than before reading them or bring a need to walk away start a line of questions. Is their writing of other content enough to keep reading? Do I need to unsubscribe or unfollow? Do I comment or can/should I let it go? Does it go deeper than one note, comment, or post? Is it an opinion allowing for differing ones? Does it demand a sameness thinking or question my beliefs if there is a different opinion?
There have been interesting responses to expressing a different perspective since coming to Substack. The specific details are not included as this is about the type of responses.
No response. A separate note later in the day worded such that I got the message. No different opinions allowed since I wasn’t educated in that field. Not one I read anymore, although I probably should check to see if I unsubscribed.
Difference in opinion acknowledged, taken into consideration as each is based on our individual experiences, AND graciousness in continuing to hang out the welcome mat. One I still read, like, and restack often.
A note about butterflies in the life garden was kindly mentioned in a post, such kind and thoughtful words. The post included a topic on being a subscriber vs. a follower. Since I do both, I shared a differing perspective. It was acknowledged, met with more kind words, AND the still open welcome mat.
Words we use, how we approach things, and overall perspectives may be slightly or quite different. It doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate what each brings to the table. When we don’t keep to what we believe, in word and deed, that is a hard pill to swallow. Many taking a hard line will say the same about people like me or others because of name, looks, actions, or words. When did it become impossible or non-Christian to see the human side and still know that things not dealt with because they are hard will only create more problems down the road? No one is perfect. No, not one. No solution is perfect. No, not one.
Answers depend on our beliefs, what we feel is important, and so on. It really is between God and us to answer those questions. I’ll end with these thoughts for myself. It’s less about specific topics, and more about when I feel strongly, do I acknowledge a different perspective or demand agreement? Where am I in lowering or raising the noise level in the life garden, and what does that say?
Love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments, and if you liked hearing more of what’s going on behind that general opening.
As a friend says, I hope you leave feeling better than when you came. A little food for thought is not a bad thing. The March Winds brought words for grace given, grace received, and a few seasoned with salt.
Thanks for stopping by ~ Rosie
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6) - King James Version. Public Domain. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 07 March 2026.
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This section brings nothing new, but a look at the obvious and not
March brought out the birds, and then snow. The fickleness of early Spring. When you want to plant, but know it’s too early even on the 80’s day. Then comes the next day with temperatures in the 30’s, bringing everyone back inside.
Practical side of March - Work outside on the good weather days. Stay inside on the cold ones. Clean up after the March winds. Mow the yard. Prepare the garden and flower beds for new growth. Start Spring cleaning. Plan for Easter. Bake some bread.
March’s quick internet to-do list - still not impressed:
Events and Experiences
Saint Patrick’s Day, Maple Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival (make sense)
Spring/Seasonal Activities - Hiking, Walking, Theme Parks, Family-Friendly Trips (seems kind of strange to have to call this out - who would want a family-unfriendly trip?)
Cultural Events - (I rest my case, even the internet couldn’t figure this one out for March,cultural - not celebrations or holidays?)
Museums, Library. Drive-in movie (they still have these?)
March Activities
“Make a Spring Window Transparency” (huh?)
“Fold a Waldorf Star Lantern” (huh?)
“Draw your favorite toys” (okay, that’s about all I can take - last time this has its own section)
Thank you to subscribers and followers - that you chose to drop by means a lot! Feel free to comment, like, or restack if something resonates, much appreciated!
Subscriptions are free. Come on in, door’s open ~ Rosie
Sometimes, even recently, I wrestle with whether or not to post something. But it's less about my fear of being flamed or unsubscribed and more about my wanting to write responsibly. I find you write responsibly which is all I ask of anyone else.
I am well past the stage of fretting over how to stay in good graces with everyone, given the plethora of personality types and POVs there are out in the weberverse. I've travelled this road for decades and the one thing I know for sure - I cannot please everyone. So, I measure my words with the scale of uprightness and integrity.
Because i am not seeking to make a living doing this so neither am I beholden to a fan base. It's not easy being a maverick but it sure is liberating. :-)
I enjoyed reading this, Rosie! I appreciate your perspective, advice and practical examples about how to handle negative feedback from others. I like how you say that sometimes when you read others’ work, it can feel like a “bee sting.” I’ve definitely felt that before. I like how you tied in March winds blowing through. Thank you also for always being so generous in sharing others’ writing!
Sometimes, even recently, I wrestle with whether or not to post something. But it's less about my fear of being flamed or unsubscribed and more about my wanting to write responsibly. I find you write responsibly which is all I ask of anyone else.
I am well past the stage of fretting over how to stay in good graces with everyone, given the plethora of personality types and POVs there are out in the weberverse. I've travelled this road for decades and the one thing I know for sure - I cannot please everyone. So, I measure my words with the scale of uprightness and integrity.
Because i am not seeking to make a living doing this so neither am I beholden to a fan base. It's not easy being a maverick but it sure is liberating. :-)
I enjoyed reading this, Rosie! I appreciate your perspective, advice and practical examples about how to handle negative feedback from others. I like how you say that sometimes when you read others’ work, it can feel like a “bee sting.” I’ve definitely felt that before. I like how you tied in March winds blowing through. Thank you also for always being so generous in sharing others’ writing!