Not a lot of sunshine either, lately.
And did you celebrate May Day? You missed marking the halfway point between Spring (Vernal Equinox) and Summer ( Summer Solstice). Used to be a fairly common excuse to celebrate something–anything– after a long winter, I suppose. There were May Poles, and May Dances, especially on womens’ colleges back in the day, folks took baskets of flowers to hang on neighbors’ front doors. Some claim that couples introduced during the May festivities might get acquainted enough to marry in the next month, thus promoting the tradition of “June weddings”. May 1st was the day to move bees and to plant turnips–best done naked (Ha !)
Which brings me to another interesting item found in the OFA about a fellow wishing to promote his little burg as the unofficial capital of the “World Naked Gardening Day” on the first Saturday of every May. And I am quoting here: “Imagine a home gardening tour in the stark. Will the Chamber host a sort of no-rag-shag parade down Main?”
The mind reels. Take note, Garden Clubbers, skip the plant sale. Do the parade and/or the resultant pix organized into a calendar to feature and benefit your organization. Best seller, for sure! Might promote much larger blooms…of one sort or another..
May is also the occasion of the Full Flower Moon, origin of the saying, “”Water in May is bread all the year, “ and the observation (not celebration) of Memorial Day. My mother used to always refer to this as “Decoration Day”–it was originally to place flowers on the graves of soldiers lost in the War (the Civil War) on both sides of the conflict, or simply those who served. It is now marked on the last Monday in May, the 26th this year.
Think on this (also courtesy of the OFA) “There’s beauty in the break of day; There’s glory in the noon-tide ray; There’s sweetness in the twilight shades; Magnificence in night.-”-John Bowering.
It’s May, all right.
