We had to pick the colors that we wanted and she taught us how to cut the strips and weave the paper that would be folded into a basket shape. Then the paper handle was fastened with some brass fasteners. Teachers have so much patience. I don't know how she dealt with a class of 20-25 kids....all in different stages of construction of these rather difficult baskets. When we finished...we put our name on the bottom and all of us made a card to put in the basket. School let out and we were on the run to find the prettiest flowers to put in our basket. There was a huge lilac bush on my way home. It was planted next to an alley, so I could go in the alley and pick a few flowers. Violets and dandelions made up the rest of the basket. When I got home, I hung it on our doorknob and rang the bell.....running to hide when my Mom came out. She acted so surprised and tickled pink with her treasure. She got a jelly jar out and filled it with water and put the flowers in.
There were many more May baskets in her life...the last one being the one I put on her door at her nursing home. She had Alzheimer's disease, and she didn't react the same as in the days of past. I just got so much pleasure doing this....it was mostly for me I guess. The twinkle had left her eye, but I knew that my Mom was in there and maybe, just maybe, she remembered.
Balisha
My Mother was big into May Baskets. She'd make them and take to shut-ins that lived in town and ALWAYS sent me to school with a cheese box, lined and filled with dirt and violets, Anemone, whatever flower she dug from the woods. The teacher then had them to plant in her garden. Our May Day has been cold and rainy and just plain yucky, which is not fair as, it is my favorite day of the year!
ReplyDeleteHope you found something to make you happy on May Day.
DeleteBalisha
Alzheimer's is such a terrible disease. It was wonderful though that you remembered how much it pleased her when you were young.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mayday, Balisha!
My mom wasn't really into gardening, but a simple little bouquet of dandelions made her smile.
DeleteBalisha
Such lovely May Day recollections! I have been so out of it today because of two wisdom teeth being pulled yesterday, I hadn't even realized until just now reading this that it is May 1st today. I am like Judy, in that it is one of my favorite days of the year. I can't believe that I didn't even think about it until now. I want a do over.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could celebrate a day late. Hope you're feeling better this morning. Removing wisdom teeth isn't fun.
DeleteTake care,
Balisha
This is a little sad but uplifting as well. You have a wonderful way of telling stories from your past and that's why I so love coming to your blog!
ReplyDeleteHappy May Day to you!
XO,
Jane
Thank you, so much I have a good memory for those old stories. I write these stories here, so that they are passed down by my kids. Some...they never knew because they had already left home. I had wonderful parents and they made a happy home for my brother and me.
DeleteBalisha
I remember making baskets like that but not any specific May Day celebrations, though i did pick violets for my mom in the spring : )
ReplyDeleteI think that most kids picked violets for bouquets. They are so pretty...I had all colors......pale lavender, dark purple, white, and yellow. I can remember ripping them out to make room for other plants. We have very few here at this house.
DeleteWe did the May basket thing with friends when we got older.I love the tradition.
Balisha
I have wonderful memories of leaving may baskets filled with candy on the doorsteps of neighbors. We would ring the doorbell, run and they would try to catch us. Definately a simpler time in small town America :-)
ReplyDelete