May Day

May 1st brings a day of showers with sun breaks.  We had a lot of these kind of days throughout April, but we were lucky enough to enjoy several beautiful weekends. Everything is green and lush, as our typically soggy, yet warmish spring makes everything burst from the ground.

As previously noted I got a lot done during April. I continue to weed. We’ve eaten a bit of fresh asparagus, picked a few stalks of rhubarb for a simple dessert and trimmed chives for stir fry. The chard and arugula are nearly ready to use and eat, and the broccoli are beginning to look like broccoli.

              

 

 

I removed the shed door, cleaned and scrapped old paint and am waiting for it to thoroughly dry before I begin my painting project. Yes, I’m totally in love with the idea of blueberry colors, even the current blossoms.

 

May 1st always reminds me of the May Day tradition of hanging a snippet of flowers in a little May basket. As children our mother showed us how to fashion our little paper basket and told us we could pick some of her flowers to share with the neighbors. We had such fun creating our little gifts and then choosing who’s door we would hang them upon.  There was a nasty old lady that lived around the block from us. I think most kids have someone in their neighborhood who scares them just a bit. We decided that we would take the first step and were proud of ourselves for choosing to leave the flowers on her doorstep. Actually, as tradition states, we hung the flower basket on her door knob, rang the door bell, then ran around the corner to watch her surprise and hopefully delight at the gift.

As we peeked around the shrubs, we saw her answer the door, look around, grab the flowers and slam the door. We giggled and ran on home, wishing we’d gotten a better reaction. When we got home our mother was on the phone.  We waited and when she hung up she smiled at us and shrugged her shoulders. It seems the ‘mean old lady’ claimed that ‘those kids’ had torn up her flowers, thrown them on her porch, rang her doorbell and the ran off. “What??” We were aghast. We frantically tried to explain. Mom waved her arms, assuring us that she totally believed us. “Not to worry” she said, “I explained the tradition to her and I think she gets it.”  I really don’t think she did get it. She remained the mean nasty lady who we avoided and plotted against. We never carried out any of our devious plans but in the end, she did give us a good story.

                                                             Happy May Everyone!

Comments

[Vicki Obrist]

We made them at school today:)

[sunday taylor]

I love hearing about your garden and the fresh vegetables and fruits you are cooking with! And I can't wait to see the blueberry door. Happy May Day!