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Monday, April 30, 2012

Happy May Day!


Darby here today as the May Queen. The first day of May is May Day.  If you are not familiar with this holiday... a little history...May Day began as a festival to honor Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers.  It became a more secular event  known for the tradition of dancing around the Maypole and crowning the Queen of May.  May first was the first day of summer in ancient cultures with June 21 being the summer solstice or Midsummer.


When Mom was a child (a lonnng time ago) she would make baskets of flowers to hang on the doors of her elderly neighbors.  At school they would form a procession and place a crown of flowers on the statue of Mother Mary.  A very quaint old fashioned holiday but we sure could use more of these nowadays!  Enjoy our garden flowers in honor of May!

Rhododendrons

Purple iris

Yellow iris
 Have your beans got any cool memories of May Days in their past?  Happy May Day to all our friends!

These came up for the first time this year - cool colors!
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28 comments:

  1. Angel Prancer PieApril 30, 2012 at 10:48 PM

    Beautiful May Day post and pics! Hope you have a great day.

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  2. The Island CatsApril 30, 2012 at 10:56 PM

    Oh, such pretty flowers! Happy May Day!

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  3. CatApril 30, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    Happy May Day friends!!! Your garden flowers are beautiful :-)

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  4. The Chair SpeaksApril 30, 2012 at 11:33 PM

    Darby's so pretty here as May Queen! Purrs! Happy May Day!

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  5. Summer at sparklecat.comApril 30, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    Happy May Day to you!

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  6. Gemini and IchiroMay 1, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    The Woman remembers the flower baskets, but we celebrate May Day as Beltane which is a Celtic festival and part of the pagan year.

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  7. MariodacatMay 1, 2012 at 4:30 AM

    Happy May Day to you too. Looks like someone got some bootiful flowers for May Day. It's nice to see someone still celebrates the day.

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  8. Cezar and LéiaMay 1, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Your blog layout is adorable, I'm enchanted by so beautiful flowers in your post!
    Happy May Day!
    Luna - WE LOVE LUNA

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  9. Old KittyMay 1, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    Me and Charlie love your beautiful blog for May!! Awww so so pretty!!

    But look at your garden blooms!! They are gorgeous!! Happy happy happy May Day to you all!! Take care
    x

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  10. Hannah and LucyMay 1, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    What wonderful flowers you have in the garden. Happy May Day.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  11. TerriMay 1, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    I think May Day is a lovely holiday. Wish it was more mainstream. Lovely iris!

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  12. Brian's Home BlogMay 1, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    Youmare gorgeous Darby! Happy May Day everyone!

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  13. Katie IsabellaMay 1, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    How precious to see that beautiful little head with a wreath of flowers. xoxoxoxoxox

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  14. MargMay 1, 2012 at 12:14 PM

    Great May Day post. The only thing our old Mom remembers is when she was a child at school, they used to dance around the may pole. But that is about it. Those flowers are so pretty. Take care.

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  15. CCL WendyMay 1, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    Yes, I've heard of May Day and knew it was quite an ancient holiday. I love the idea of your Mom making the elderly neighbours smile with a basket of beautiful flowers!

    And you look gorgeous, Darby! As do the flowers in your garden. I have never seen a deep pink iris like that before -- it's stunning!

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  16. Katnip LoungeMay 1, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    oooooh, I am a FIEND for iris!
    Happy May Day!

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  17. The Creek CatsMay 1, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    Happy May Day!

    Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!!!
    XOXO
    Maya and Chevelle

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  18. meowmeowmansMay 1, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    Thank you for explaining all about May Day, pretty Darby!

    Happy May Day to all of you at Wildcat Woods. :)

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  19. Memories of Eric and FlynnMay 1, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    Happy May Day to all of you. The flowers are pretty.

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  20. ANGEL ABBYGRACEMay 1, 2012 at 6:06 PM

    Those were beautiful May Day pictures. WE sure enjoyed your stories of may day.
    purrs
    >^,,^<
    ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥

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  21. LindaMay 2, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    Pretty flowers for a special day. Happy May Day!

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  22. Ellen WhyteMay 2, 2012 at 3:39 AM

    oooh did you see Beltane? Did you dance around a maypole? We celebrated Au's Official Birthday.

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  23. Fr. Tom FishMay 2, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Cheri and Darby..what beautiful flowers to celebrate May Day. We enjoyed the post so much and do have memories of crowning the Virgin Mary with a tiny crown of white flowers.

    Thanks for bringing those special times back to us. We like the idea of flowers on the doorknobs of elderly people, too. xx

    Traditions, so many are going by the wayside, but the memories stay with us, for sure.

    Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts when we lost Trapper. We appreciate the comfort. It will help keep us going, sweet friends.

    ((Hugs))
    Tom, Mom Julie, Tinker, Mitty & Anastasia

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  24. My Mind's EyeMay 2, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    Lovely post! Darby you are a beautiful May queen too.

    Yes I think the world would benefit if we brought back some old customs.
    It is getting way to crowded here in Raleigh and fewer and fewer customs remembered.

    Hugs Madi and Mom

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  25. catsynthMay 2, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Great flowers for May Day!

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  26. Kjelle Bus aka Charlie RascalMay 2, 2012 at 5:05 PM

    Happy May Day :)

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  27. CatherineMay 3, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Hooray May! I hope it's filled with more sunshine than rain and more flowers than weeds! :)

    xo Catherine

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  28. HH and The BoysMay 3, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    That May Day Blingee picture is fantastic, and I love the pictures of all the flowers.... Beautiful.

    Have a great day.

    pawhugs, Max

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