May

The Book of Hours calendar page for May shows young nobles and ladies riding in a procession in front of the Palais de la Cite, the Duc du Berry's residence in Paris. In France, this May jaunt was called the "joli mois de Mai," where rich people wore green clothing and paraded on fancy horses. I suppose the poor had to be content with wearing a spring of green. The sun chariot rolls on at the top, and the Gemini twins lead the zodiac.

The earliest May Day celebrations were pagan and appeared in Roman times, with the festival of Flora, the goddess of flowers. In Europe and America, May Day was known for dancing the Maypole and crowning the May Queen. A tradition of leaving "May baskets" on neighbor's doorsteps is (sadly) gone. Years ago, the little girls next door to us would run over and hang paper cones of flowers on our doorknob; it was very sweet.

We are starting the month on a happy note here. Amanda and Nova just arrived for a short visit, and Amanda's best friend from the Peace Corps is also here for the weekend. New Nova pictures coming soon!