Oh Say Can You See, By the Dawn's Early Light

What so proudly we hailed, at the Twilight's Last Gleaming

Celebrate our Independence

Watch a movie about our Founding Fathers

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

The ants loved this feeder so I got this

"parasol". You just put water in it and

the ants can't get into the sugar water.

I love these amazing little birds.

These are Ruby Throated Hummingbirds at the

feeder near my office window.

I love Grandsons and Roses

My grandson Caleb, he's so darn snuggly at 5 and

has sweetness in his eyes..even though he can

be BAD!!

This is just one of my roses,

Eglantine Rose. It smells SO good.

Our local nursery had a Rose Garden Give Away

They haven't called, so I assume I did not win.

Oh I really wanted it!!

I think I'll start my plans for a Rose Garden

& make it a project.

Just a bit of whimsy

It's Good to be Queen

                                                         

The Origins of May Day

Well, it is a fact that May Day, which the children do enjoy with all vibes, is not an overly prominent holiday in America. Yet, it does have a long and notable history as one of the world's principal festivals. The origin of the May Day as a day for celebration dates back to the days, even before the birth of Christ. And like many ancient festivals it too has a Pagan connection.

For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1 was the second most important holiday of the year. Because, it was when the festival of Beltane held. It was thought that the day divides the year into half. The other half was to be ended with the Samhain on November 1. Those days the May Day custom was the setting of new fire. It was one of those ancient New Year rites performed throughout the world. And the fire itself was thought to lend life to the burgeoning springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the smoke for seeing good luck.

Then the Romans came to occupy the British Isles. The beginning of May was a very popular feast time for the Romans. It was devoted primarily to the worship of Flora, the goddess of flowers. It was in her honor a five day celebration, called the Floralia, was held. The five day festival would start from April 28 and end on May 2. The Romans brought in the rituals of the Floralia festival in the British Isles. And gradually the rituals of the Floralia were added to those of the Beltane. And many of today's customs on the May Day bear a stark similarity with those combined traditions.

May day observance was discouraged during the Puritans. Though, it was relived when the Puritans lost power in England, it didn't have the same robust force. Gradually, it came to be regarded more as a day of joy and merriment for the kids, rather than a day of observing the ancient fertility rights.

Happy Mother's Day

Psalm 139:13 

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.