Month of May

 The name of this month is derived from the French word, “Mai”.

Maia is the Goddess of Spring.  She is supposed to be the daughter

of Faunas, one of the oldest Roman deities and the wife of Vulcan.

The name, Maia means “the great one.”

There are numerous legends and myths about Birthstone healing powers and their

therapeutic influence.  According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its

assigned month heightened healing powers.  For the full effect, individuals needed

to own all twelve and alternate them monthly.

Birthstone ~ emerald

Flower ~ lily of the valley

Noteworthy Days

May 13 ~ Mother's Day (second Sunday in the month) is a celebration
 honouring Mothers and a celebration of motherhood and maternal bonds
and the influence of mothers in society. 

May 19 ~ Armed Forces Day (United States) is celebrated on the 3^rd Saturday

of the month.  The day was created in 1949 to honour Americans serving in the

five US military branches:  the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

                  Canada's Armed Forces Day is celebrated the 1^st Sunday in June.

May 21 ~ Victoria Day is celebrated annually on the Monday preceding May 25.

Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in Canada that commemorates the Birthdays of

ruling British Monarchs including the current Queen.  Although each Monarch's

actual Birth Dates varied, this holiday was established as overall recognition of

the sovereigns' Birthdays.

May 24 was Queen Victoria's Birthday (1819 to June 22, 1901), living to be

93 years of age.  She reigned as Queen from June 20, 1837 to January 1901

(64 years)...the longest reign in British history.

She was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 

She became the first Empress of India on May 1, 1876. 

Any British monarch rules from London, England.

May 28 ~ Memorial Day (US) is observed on the last Monday of May.

It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorated all men and

women who died in military service for the United States. Many people

visit cemeteries and memorials on this day.

May Musings

The wind is tossing the lilacs;

The new leaves laugh in the sun;

And the petals fall on the orchard wall

But for me, the spring is done!

Beneath the apple blossoms

I go a wintry way...

For love that smiled in April

Is false to me in May.

(Sarah Teasdale)

                                                                A swarm of bees in May

                                                                Is worth a load of hay;

                                                                A swarm of bees in June

                                                                Is worth a silver spoon.

                                                                A  swarm of bees in July

                                                                Is not worth a fly.

(Rhyme from England)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Pearl of Wisdom”

Yesterday is Ashes.

Tomorrow is Wood.

Only today does the Fire burn brightly!

(Eskimo Proverb)

Merle Baird-Kerr . . . composed April 29, 2012

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