May Day 2023 – North to Alaska

That’s May Day, the first of May, not MayDay as in m’aidez… mind you…  derived from the French phrase meaning “help me". We certainly don’t need any help today. We’re celebrating the completion of Blanche’s latest upfit.

Here’s part of a blog I wrote about May Day back in 2013...

“Long, colorful ribbons had been attached to the top of the pole before it was erected and each member (20 or more of us) grabbed a strand of ribbon and began weaving it around the pole. One person strung the ribbon over, the next person under … everyone lost track and before long, it didn't matter. Laughing and good fun ensued till the ribbons were short and the weaving was complete.”

UU Church Milton MA celebrating Beltane

It’s not a new celebration. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac…

“Originally, the maypole was a living tree chosen from the woods with much merrymaking. Ancient Celts danced around the tree, praying for the fertility of their crops and all living things. For younger people, there was the possibility of courtship. If a young woman and man paired by sundown, their courtship continued so that the couple could get to know each other and, possibly, marry six weeks later on June’s Midsummer’s Day. This is how the “June wedding” became a tradition.

In the Middle Ages, all villages had maypoles. Towns would compete to see who had the tallest or best maypole. Over time, this Old English festival incorporated dance performances, plays, and literature. People would crown a “May Queen” for the day’s festivities.” In some places, traditional May baskets are still left at the door on May Day by children or sweethearts.

Photo credit: Country Living

“The strict Puritans of New England considered the celebrations of May Day to be licentious and pagan, so they forbade its observance, and the springtime holiday never became an important part of American culture as it was in many European countries.” Bah… Puritans!

According to www.britannica.com, “May Day, also called Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day,  commemorates the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement and is observed in many countries on May 1. We have to wait till the end of summer to celebrate Labor Day.

As for us, we’re not dancing round the Maypole this year nor lighting bonfires, nor hanging May baskets on doors. It’s departure day for our road trip to Alaska, a little later than originally planned, but then we rarely stick to a plan. We’re joining Willy as he sings “On the Road Again” as we head out of town. It’s hot and sultry in Las Vegas at the moment in the high 90s. We’re not sure exactly where we’re going today other than north, but we’re packed up and on the road.

Join us as we make our way for months on the road on our epic journey to Northwestern Canada and Alaska. It’s gonna be awesome. And, as always, we love the company!