May Day 2024

As I remembered May Day of years ago, I wondered how many of us ever participated in the joys of May day.  Oh, it is true that we saw Russia usurp the date for their parades to show military force.  But, I’m talking about the good, old-fashioned May Day with May baskets, flowers, and May poles.

When daughters 1, 2, and 3 were young, we made May baskets for the flowers that were going to be hung on neighbors’ doorknobs.  They learned to make baskets by weaving paper strips through the slits in an 8 ½ x 11 inch piece of construction paper; shaping the woven paper into a cone and adding a handle.

When daughter #1 worked at a local library and was in charge of the after-school program, she taught her charges how to make these paper baskets for their May Day surprises, as I had done with my young students.  Glue was important to this construction, holding the paper strips in place, as well as fixing the handle to the cone basket.  And, of course, sampling the glue (at that time, it was a paste) always happened – even though they were cautioned “Don’t eat the paste.”

Because Larry was a terrific gardener, there were always spring flowers to place into the paper baskets.  Early on May Day, my daughters would rise and pick the flowers.  Their next step was to deliver the baskets to neighbors, hanging the baskets on the doorknobs, and running away so the neighbor would not know who had gifted them the surprise.

It has been years and years since I’ve even thought much about May Day.  Certainly, my daughters are all grown and live away from my house.  I don’t make May baskets for my neighbors.  And, it has also been years and years since I’ve received the surprise of a May Day basket on my front door.

This year on May Day, my doorbell rang.  Outside on the porch was a most beautiful vase with tiny, white carnations in it.  The vase is one of the most unusual vases I’ve ever seen.  It is plastic.  Not hard plastic, but a soft plastic that, with the water and flowers, was very sturdy.  And, no human being in sight.  Who had brought this surprise to me?  I had no idea, but it WAS a May Day surprise.  I called several people to thank them, but each person denied bringing that vase and flowers to my porch.

Later in the day, neighbor Rita appeared at my door with another vase filled with flowers.  She had been where there was a field of these beautiful, yellow daffodils.  I learned that the tall plastic vase came from Peggy, another friend.

Both vases are sitting on my wood stove (no longer in use for this year); the square vase with daffodils and the tall plastic one with tiny carnations, just perfect for the vase.

It is absolutely wonderful way to remember times of long ago when the world seemed simpler and not so crazy.  Thank you so much, ladies.  I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

 I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
By William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought: 

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.