SOLC Day 1:
March 2024 SOLC–Day 1
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Yesterday morning, I woke before my alarm detonated, rolled over and switched it off.
Did it freeze overnight? Would we have a delay?
I reached over hopefully to pick up my phone and clicked on the school closings page.
Nothing. Not a single delay anywhere.
I sighed, then had another thought, brightened and whispered, “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!”
In my family, saying “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” first on the first day of a new month brings good luck. I’ve been attempting to do so for longer than I can remember, with mixed results. I was thrilled that I’d remembered this time.
I reached over and poked my sleeping husband.
“Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!” I whispered loudly, determined to spread the luck around. (Also, since we are married, good luck for one typically means good luck for the other, so it wasn’t entirely unselfish of me.)
“Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit,” he responded sleepily. (After almost 35 years or marriage, he knows the drill.)
I slid out of bed and made my way downstairs to get the day started, slightly disappointed there was no delay, but chuffed that I’d remembered to say “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit.” It is surprisingly difficult to do. Suddenly, I had a delightful thought:
Oooooh! I wonder if it will be extra lucky since I remembered on a Leap Year! I should text my sisters and see what they think.
A few sleep-logged clogs turned sluggishly in my brain…
Wait
a
minute…
On a Leap Year…(insert your favorite major head slap image here!)
If it’s Leap Year… that means it’s still February today.
That means tomorrow is March 1st.
I had to laugh–and cringe! Luckily I hadn’t texted my sisters yet.
Later, in the day I texted my husband, “Sorry! I guess it’s still February. We’ll just have to try again tomorrow!”
Update: In case you were worried, I remembered again this morning! And woke my husband up again so that he could, too. Phew! This has to bode well for the launch of this year’s Slice of Life Challenge!
Nix the comfort zone 
Well written piece – you kept me with you. Fascinating – this is the first time ever I heard “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit.” Mixing up days and dates is a common human experience.
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I teach my students this every year, so I’m definitely spreading the word 🙂
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Such a fun story, Molly! To be fair…leap day is such a strange animal. You are only the second person I’ve ever known who practices the “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” tradition. It so intrigues me. Good save by remembering to do it again this morning! Your husband – what a good sport, lol. Here’s to much March writing joy.
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My entire family is very invested in this tradition! lol I’m already feeling lucky about having another SOLC experience 🙂
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As I read, I wondered if I had the rabbit thing wrong all these years. Do you say it on the last day of the month?!? So funny. Your husband is a good sport. Good luck to you this month!
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He is a good sport, but he’s pretty invested in getting some good luck, too. lol Happy writing!
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I love this tradition! How cute! Love the humor in your slice. My favorite line was “I woke before my alarm detonated”. haha…I feel like that with mine too! Welcome back!
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I often wake before my alarm, but when I don’t…ugh! The other day my alarm going off felt like some sort of violation. It can be brutal!
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You made me laugh out loud when you said your “alarm detonated.” What a great way to capture that sound. I love how these beginnings bring your family together, really sweet and I’m glad you got it right this morning 🙂
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I’m so looking forward to sharing another month of writing and connecting! And now S is along for the ride, too! Yay!
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Great stuff. I don’t know if it’s an inflation thing or a Maine thing, but your good luck requires one extra rabbit from the good luck that I was taught. I learned that it was “Rabbit, Rabbit,” (just two). But I can be swayed. If I say “Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit,” I’ve said it three times, but I’ve also said it two times, right. I remembered this morning, thankfully. I too, have found that it is sometimes unreliable in granting the good luck. We’re reading Cynthia Lord’s book, Because of the Rabbit, as our One Book, One School this month, and today is Rabbit Day at our school. That seems auspicious. Looking forward to reading your posts this month.
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I’ve heard of the two rabbit version, but am sticking with mine for now. I admire your flexibility. Because of the Rabbit is a great book (and Cynthia Lord lives locally)! I read it to my class during Covid remote learning, and we all loved it. It was a great point of connection during that time. Looking forward to slicing together!
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May you have much good luck in the days and months ahead. I love your verbs! I woke before my alarm detonated, Keep ’em coming. My quote of the week next Wednesday speaks of a suggestion of how to start each day. How’s that for a tease! And so glad I get a daily dose of MBH again this March!
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I’m interested to read your suggestions for how to start the day, and will definitely tune in on Wednesday. My mornings mostly begin with coffee and writing, though sometimes early walking and photography supplants the latter. Thanks for following along!
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It seems others love your verbs, too!
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My aunt says, “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit”, too! I wonder if maybe saying it on Feb 29 brings good luck for four years? The first bit of luck, of course, is that you didn’t tell your sisters – otherwise you would have had four years of living that down. Heeheehee
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Of course I totally outed myself anyway to my sisters once I realized how mixed up I’d been! I like your idea that I might just have accidentally scored four years of good luck! Sweet!
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NOW I know what Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit means! Thanks for the laugh at the mix-up. That is so me!
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You should try saying it. It’s really hard to remember and I can’t guarantee the good luck piece, but it’s kind of fun anyway. 🙂
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Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! I’m really looking forward to another year of daily slicing!!
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So glad you’ll be slicing this month! I never went to sleep-away camp, but I feel like seeing everyone here today must be like the first day back at summer camp. It’s such a reunion!
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Despite your commitment to it, I NEVER REMEMBER to do it. Not once. I don’t know if I’m able to build that new habit at this point.
Also, thanks for your encouragement today.
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I have total faith that you’ll pull it off one of these days! I’m SO glad you’re along for the ride.
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I had never ever heard of the “Rabbit, Rabbit” ‘thing’ until I moved to CT and started teaching. On the first day of every month, a first grade teacher greeted every kid with “rabbit, rabbit”. I was so confused and then I learned and understood! Thanks for laughs here — here’s to all the luck you need and deserve this month!
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This tradition is deeply rooted in my family, so every year I enjoy teaching it to all my students. They love it!
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So much fun…and I do think it will grant you twice as much luck since you did it twice because of leap year! (Maybe 4 times as much since your hubby chimed in too…twice!)
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I love your optimism!
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