I giorni della merla, The days of the blackbird.

In Italy the last three days of January are referred to as 'I giorni della merla,' which means the days of the blackbird. Tradition has it that if these days are particularly cold and bitter then a mild early Spring will follow and vice versa.
There are various tales as to how these days got their name.
One is that January used to have only twenty eight days and February thirty one.  January was jealous (I'm not making this up) of the little blackbird joyfully singing away and looking forward to warmer days. So he, January asked Febraury to give him some of his days so he could surprise the blackbird with extremely cold weather to put an end to his chirping.
Another story is that the blackbird was originally White. Mr. Blackbird told Mrs. Blackbird and their three little ones to huddle near a chimney to keep warm while he went in search of food. When Mr.Blackbird came back the rest of his family had turned balck from all the soot.
There are probably other versions of the days of the blackbird. Anyway it is very cold and there has been a snow fall so maybe we can hope for a mils early Spring.

Two blackbird songs that I like are one by the Beatles and one that my dad sang.

Here's my Dad's.

Packing up my cares and woes
Down the road, here I go
bye, Bye Blackbird.
Where somebody Waits for me
Sugar's sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, Blackbird.

Here is the Beatles

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take your broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
you were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

 

Snow can take us by surprise when we're getting ready for Spring