Bring it on! May flowers that is. Let’s hope that April showers (including the snow type) are over for now. Flowers are not the only harbingers of May. I remember a song from grade school that tells about just such a herald of May; see whether you agree. Here is the first line, go ahead and sing along if you remember it: “At 4 o’clock in the morning, Robin’s are singing in May…” Yes, and they still are singing loudly, nonstop, at 8 p.m.! But it is so lovely, and we are all so ecstatic about being able to go outside in relative comfort, that we don’t care, do we?

Have you started your spring closet cleaning? It is truly a gratifying exercise for me each year to start packing up the winter stuff and bringing out the spring clothes, shoes, and matching bags. I take one closet a day and before I know it everything is done. I almost want to start over just for the excitement! I know there’s others like me out there; go ahead and admit it.

Of course, we must begin the month with THE legendary May Day tradition, the May basket rite. Do you (or I should say your children or grandchildren) still participate? When I was a kid we took great delight in making all the little baskets out of construction paper and lace…at least for the girls’ baskets. We filled them with candy, gum, popcorn, jacks, and all kinds of fun things. Sometimes we even used fresh violets or Lilies of the Valley if they were still blooming. My mother would help us as much as we would allow, and then go along with us to deliver them. Remember, if we got caught, we had to kiss whomever the basket was for, so the excitement was palpable! We snuck up to the front door, hurriedly (but also gingerly, so it wouldn’t spill) placed the basket on the front stoop, rang the doorbell, and ran away. As their door opened we never turned back to see who was there but we yelled, “Happy May Day.” And of course when I arrived back at my house, I had several little baskets waiting for me from my friends. Did you get a basket this year?

This month we also celebrate Mother’s Day. What a splendid month to honor our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and maybe even special friends that have been like mothers to us. Many of these wonderful women have passed on; I lost my mom in 2003 to cancer. Mom was a great mentor and had a huge impact on my life, as I’m sure yours did. Like me, I bet many of you probably feel as though your mother was too young to go. So, here’s a suggestion. Now, while you can, have mom (or any other important woman in your life) tell you about her life, family, and friends on tape, DVD or CD so you can put together a “book” for sharing now and for all posterity. These memories are priceless and everyone will be grateful for your foresight.

To honor my mom’s life and accomplishments, each year on Mother’s Day my father and I go out for brunch and reminisce. Thanks, mom, for everything.

Special Notes

Time to get outside! So grab the leash and get in some Fido time! Women’s Edition welcomes two new advertisers to the magazine who have your and Fido’s best interests at heart. Discover the exciting news on page 17 about the Bark Busters® in-home training for any age dog and any problem. This year let them help you turn the walking-the-dog chore into an enjoyable experience for all. — Hate to go into the yard after Fido has been “doing his duty?” Scooper Troopers takes the groan out of cleaning up after your dog’s business! See page 17. — Women’s Edition also welcomes Zumi back to the magazine (see page 27). Check out their new décor and the fun and exciting sunnytime, summertime clothes and accessories and tell Lu you saw it in Women’s Edition. — The Iowa Vein Center believes “You stand on their reputation!” See the outside back cover for information.

Positive Thought of the Month

“It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.”
— Helen Keller