This Day

THE FIRST OF MAY

Is It For Summer Or . . .

the common worker ?

THE CORRECT WAY TO DO IT   . . . courtesy EarthSky

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THE MAY QUEEN

.. When thinking of May 1st,  the Pagan Holiday Beltane comes to mind along with the annual international celebration of workers. The day has a convoluted meaning in the mind of contemporary populations.
.. Usually folks just name the day and go on about their business. Celebrations are small and, scattered around the world. That's sad. This is a day for the world to rise together in celebration. It is an ancient recognition of the "warm season" beginning.
.. It was once the rallying cry of the IWW. (international workers of the world - wobblies.) It is famously the day for imperial Russia, (and the Soviet Union and contemporary Russia,) to parade the power of the state.
.. Up here, at this time, it is seldom mentioned. Today it is passed over in the gloom of Covid-19 and the relief that we have survived one more day. In real terms it is now a day of relief. The evolution of meaning for the day and it's celebration provides an interesting story of who we are and, how we became this way.

RESOURCES

Wikipedia,
Travalanche,
Goodnews,
Washington Post,
Parting The Mists,
EarthSky,
Playmakers,
London May Day,
Russian May Day,

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TRICOS SOON ?

.. If they think about it the contemporary fly fisher may associate May, (the month,) with their favorite bait. Sunk or floated the mayfly is an important enticement for trout, (and other fish as well.)
.. The piscatorial use first came about around 1645-1655 as two words may+fly. The term was used because the thinking was that these little bugs were most prevalent in the month of May. QED.

A VERY TWISTED BAETID

.. Many of the neighbors have disappeared into the hidden parts of the South Fork of the Madison River. They brave willow thickets and Grizzle Bears for a chance of tangling with a spawned out monster.
.. We are sheltering in place and tending the strawberry bed. It suffered more this year than previously. We attribute this to the ice that formed at ground level during our gentle winter. A little love and some gentle massage will bring us strawberries by the end of June.
.. Our village is waking up slowly. The kids are out - a good sign. There are residents and some neighbors with commercial face masks. There are some neighbors wearing bandanas - outlaw fashion. There are even a few cars parked by eager shop owners - hoping the park will open soon - are all foreign visitors still banned from entry?

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