Mother Nature has the last laugh with her hot and cold fluctuating spring temperatures. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

I researched the proper punctuation for April Fools’ Day because one misplaced apostrophe is the difference between just one fool and countless fools. Alas, April Fools’ Day is for the masses, whether you are being the fool or the one fooling around.

My children decided long ago that trying to trick me was their goal. They began with simple pranks, which led to more elaborate schemes. I finally had to have a sit down to make sure they understood the difference between replacing salt with sugar and a State of Emergency. There would be consequences for imaginary health scares, job losses, and other catastrophes. I’m superstitious enough that I don’t need them to be dreaming up disasters. My superstitious nature and my children’s ability to trick me is what makes April Fools’ Day their time to plot my demise.

The history of a day dedicated to pranking is vague. There is plenty of blame going around.

There is speculation that in the 1500s, when the Roman Catholic Council of Trent reorganized and revitalized its doctrines, the church also switched from the Julian calendar to the Georgian one. This calendar change switched the beginning of the year to January rather than the previously celebrated new year, which aligned with Easter. Those stubborn people not making the calendar switch were ridiculed. According to History.com, people in France would hang paper fish on the backs of anyone still celebrating a New Year at the end of March, representing an easily caught fish or gullible person. (I’m a Pisces, so I’m seeing a trend here.)

There is also a theory that April Fools’ Day is connected to the first day of the spring equinox. It’s when Mother Nature decides to sandwich a few ice storms between bouts of hot weather. Essentially, it’s Mother Nature being so Adirondack. She continues to fool people into thinking this time it’s actually spring while placing a sheet of ice in front of us.

My children have gone a bit light on the pranks over the years. I’m not sure if it’s because they have found better victims or that they know I assume everything they say on April 1st is a hoax. They taught me well.