April 30, 2009
Mayday
Did you remember that May 1st is always May Day? May Day is a cross-quarter day, meaning that in the Northern Hemisphere it falls approximately halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Perhaps the most significant of the traditions is the Maypole, around which traditional dancers circle with ribbons.
On May first, May Baskets are traditionally made. These baskets are small and usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someones doorstep. The basket giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged. As a child, I always observed this tradition, by taking homemade baskets (usually cone-shaped and made out of construction paper) of flowers and delivering them to neighbors, then ringing the doorbell and running away! Now, I think it’s sort of rude to not be there when someone answers the door!!! Besides, exchanging a kiss sounds like ever so much fun!!!
