May Day Romance -Postcard Friendship Friday #166

I have lots of lovely memories about May Day.  Sissy and I would braid long strands of new grass, then we would sew the braids into tiny baskets, which we would then fill with flowers.  When I think of May Day--I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on our shoulders, smell the aroma of fresh grass and fragrant flowers.  It was the scent of Spring.

When I was a freshman in high school, our big celebration was May Day.  I still have the purple dress I wore as we danced around the Maypole.  Mom bought it for me new.  For PE we spent weeks learning the intricate dance which left a beautiful pattern of ribbon on the pole.  I have always loved May Day.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear ones. May the Fragrance of Springtime fill your hearts. 

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The Birthday Fairy - Guest Heart Thursday

This was a card given to me on my 50th birthday.   Yes, there are hearts all throughout--which makes it perfect for Guest Heart Thursday.  But there is another special reason I've posted this card.  Your host, the heart lady herself, celebrated her 50th birthday last week! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISSY!  Thought you were going to get away unscathed, eh?  Watch out for those birthday fairies!  Aren't they the cutest things?!  lol

Be sure to drop by and wish Sissy a very HAPPY FIFTIETH! 

Our dear Mom's birthday was yesterday and my anniversary was Saturday.  May is a GREAT month!

or more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Dancing the May Pole - Postcard Friendship Friday #61

When I attended High School, May Day was the big celebration. Every Spring we voted for our May Day Queen and her court.  The celebration was in the big gym, where there was music by the choir, band and orchestra and the queen was introduced with a special dance.  The dresses the court wore--with big hoop skirts--were amazing.  

But my favorite part was winding of the May Pole by the Freshmen girls.  When I was a freshman I was in the group who danced around the May Pole.  I still have the pretty purple dress I wore. 

Colorful crepe paper ribbons were attached to the top of the pole.  As music played, one group of us walked to the right, the others to the left.  It was a pretty dance, where we would dip under the ribbon of the first person, then go over the ribbon of the next and so on. 

The winding of the Maypole was a traditional activity each spring.   I believe May Day is still celebrated in this manner at my old Alma Mater.

Happy May Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

Mother's Day in America - Postcard Friendship Friday #9

 

In the United States, Mother's Day experienced a series of false starts. In 1858, Anna Reeves Jarvis was the first woman to hold an official celebration of mothers, when in her home state of West Virginia, she instituted Mothers' Work Day to raise awareness about local sanitation issues. During the Civil War, she expanded the scope of Mothers' Work Day to include sanitary conditions on both sides of the battlefield.

Meanwhile Julia Ward Howe, author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, attempted to institute a national celebration of mothers which honored women's inclinations toward peace, rather than cleanliness. (grin)  In 1872, she initiated and promoted a Mother's Day.  But it did not become the tradition we know today.

Then in 1905, Anna Jarvis, took up the Mother's Day torch. She swore on her mother's grave site that she would realize her lifelong dream of creating a national day to honor mothers. In 1907,  Anna launched her campaign by giving white carnations to Mothers at her mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia.

In 1908, the church honored her request - Incredibly, the tradition spread the very next year to churches in 46 states. WOW!  The power of one woman's voice was amazing.  In 1909, Anna left her job and dedicated herself to a full-time letter-writing campaign, imploring politicians, clergymen and civic leaders to institute a national day for mothers.

In 1912, Anna's efforts were met with success: Her home state of West Virginia adopted an official Mother's Day; two years later, the U.S. Congress passed a Joint Resolution, signed by President Wilson, establishing a national Mother's Day emphasizing the role of women in their families. Ever since, Mother's Day has been celebrated by Americans on the second Sunday in May.

This extraordinary woman has inspired me.  One woman, with one voice--inspired an entire nation to honor Mothers and their vital role.  WOW!