The Ides of March - or, what's an ide, anyway?

For a few days recently it has seemed like spring. Maybe it is.

On the Ancient Roman Calendar the Ides of March occur on March 15. Winter is supposed to separate from spring precisely on March 15, according to the ancient Romans. They never made it to Montana.

On the Modern Montanan Calendar the days of winter and spring bounce around on both sides of March 15. We take the spring weather when we can get it.

"Beware the Ides of March," one Shakespearian character said, and when that line was spoken, things all of a sudden separated from hunky-dory to going to pot.

In a broader, deeper sense, id...