Caesar was warned by a seer (a clairvoyant) to be on his guard against a great peril on the Ides of March. On his way to the Theater of Pompey (where he would be assassinated), Caesar saw the seer and joked "Well, the Ides of March have come," to which the seer replied "Aye, they have come, but they are not gone.""Ides" refers to the 15th day of March, May, July and October, and the 13th day of the other months. I wasn't able to find out why the difference in these months, but it doesn't really matter. Today is the Ides of March. It turns out that the day is celebrated every year with a toga run in the streets of Rome, in the same place where Julius Caesar was killed.
Today as I left the Y, I saw the cutest sight, a woman was leading a bunch of toddlers into the Y using a long rope with handles in it. Each toddler had his or her own handle, and I asked if I could take a picture of them. This is probably the only way you could safely have just one person take care of so many little ones on the sidewalk. Here's the picture (click to enlarge):
That's adorable! I would imagine they are old enough to be told the importance of holding onto the handles and actually have some understanding. Even at two and a half Jordan understands that she has to hold an adults hand if she doesn't want to be held.
ReplyDeleteInteresting little fact about the Ides. I often wonder where phrases originated. I know I'm not the only one since there are plenty of books out there that focus on the meaning behind common phrases.
Cute photos. They look like they were enjoying the picture taking.
ReplyDeleteI saw these on John and Kate plus eight..I thought it was a great way to have a fun walk with small children...as long as they keep walking! Cute photo!
ReplyDeleteYes the Ides of March! Or the eve of St Urho's Day!! :)
Very interesting about the Ides of March. I had no idea what it meant. The kids are adorable. I've asked my daughter to order a backpack with a little "leash" (it looks like a little animal tail) for my grandson. I am just not fast enough anymore, and they live in an urban area. His parents have a hard enough time catching him!
ReplyDeleteI looked up the Ides of March this morning too, after I posted the "warning" on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteThis rope is obviously the result of "Necessity is the mother of invention". I imagine preschools all over the country order them, but this is the first I've seen of them. Cool, and cute kids!
Love what you did with the blog. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThe kids in the photos are really cute...call me a tad (okay a lot) old fashioned but I'd rather see those cuties home with their moms/dads. I'm sure I'll catch some slack for that comment. Wouldn't it be wonderful if today's young families didn't need to have two working parents to make ends meet?
Just a thought.
xo
For some reason a student at our local high school has dressed in a suit and tie every year on the Ides of March since he was a freshman. He's now a senior so the entire senior class quietly schemed to all dress in formal wear today. I'm waiting to hear if they pulled it off!
ReplyDeleteI have a very faint memory of Julius Caesar and the "Ides of March." It is a time I'm always happy to be past - that is into Springtime for sure!
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoyed this post!! Was familiar with the meaning of "Ides of March," as Shakespeare used that phrase and the idea of seers in his masterpiece, Julius Caesar...But...the rope idea is completely new to me...and I must say, it is brilliant...and the photos of the children? Simply wonderful!!! You are so quick...and find the most wonderful shots everywhere you go! Simply terrific! ~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteI see that a lot. They do it for preschool children that are walking places. I still think they need more adults. Little ones can slip away so fast!
ReplyDeleteI remember the band Ides of March, but can't remember what they sang!
I remembered the Ides of March from a discussion of Shakespeare's play long ago.
ReplyDeleteThe rope with handles is a great idea to keep up with all the little ones.
I didn't know much about the ides of March. You are so clever with all your blog topics DJan.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea those handles are...! And thank you for telling me about this blog. Silly me, I thought you had just the one.
ReplyDeleteWe studied Julius and Caesar in high school, so I was aware of the Ides of March, but I didn't know it also applied to other months as well. Interesting!
Please pop across to my Blog today. I have left a little something for you :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Star
We have a preschool class that uses those!! Great way to teach them to stay together! Cute picture!!
ReplyDeleteBeware the Ides of March is a phrase which which I have long been acquainted. It was the occasion of my first marriage which ended in fourteen years. There were other omens of the coming disaster beyond the choice of date but that would take a much longer comment..... Always glad to follow those to pursue answers to their own curiosities.
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