Tuesday, May 1, 2007

HAPPY MAY DAY

A MAY BASKET FOR YOU

Growing up as kids in North Dakota, my friends and I certainly didn't observe Beltane like the Celts, or frolic on May Day like English village folk. We didn't even have the flowering May baskets that are common May Day greetings in the U.S.

We did, however, make candy May baskets. I chose the photo above because it reminds me of the candy baskets we used to make. We would take a paper cup, much like the one above, add a pipe cleaner handle, and fill it with candy. Or, we would take an ordinary square paper napkin in a pastel color like mint green or yellow. We would open it up, add a handful of small candies, gather the edges together and tie it with a curling ribbon. We would deliver the "baskets" to the recipient's doorstep, ring or knock, then try to run out of sight before the door opened.

Although I received neither a flower or candy basket this morning, I did get a May Day gift. Vicki, a stranger until this morning, posted a comment on my Beltane essay. Naturally, I had to check out her blog. The first thing I saw was the full-length video for "Huron Beltane Fire Dance", for which I had given a pitiful one-minute audio link. Of course, I had to borrow her idea, so I posted the video to my blog too. The video is of Michael Flatley performing a dance to McKennett's music, with the cast of "Riverdance" (or "Lord of the Dance," I'm not quite sure.) I also found McKennitt's version of the video, so I had to post that too. To view either/both, just look at the top right side of my blog and click on the video you want to watch.

I prefer McKennitt's video. First, because even though I am mesmerized by Flatley's dancing, I can never look at him without thinking "Mr. Obnoxiously Swelled Head". Also, the dancers in McKennitt's video are authentic amateur Celtic dancers. Plus, you also get to have a look at Loreena, one of my most admired singers.

Vicki's blog, Victoria Station, (http://camlann.spaces.live.com/) was a treat in so many other ways that it made me late getting out of the house this morning. I mentioned that she was a stranger until this morning. Now I consider her a friend and more - a kindred spirit, a soul sister, an Anam Cara. We both love rubber stamps, collage, altered art, journaling, letter writing, historical fiction, children's literature, all things British, Pre-Raphaelite painters, ephemera, etc. etc. She also has links to some wonderful new (to me) programs, but I will address them later. What a great start to the month of May!

Happy May Day, Everyone!


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Julie Marie,

I was so surprised and pleased when I read this post! I had to laugh over you being late for work because you were checking out my blog. Last night I got to bed at almost midnight because I was checking out yours and believe me, that is very late for me!

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the Loreena McKennitt video for "Huron Beltane Fire Dance". While both videos are wonderful I find Loreena's more powerful on an emotional level - it's more real.

How amazing that we love so many of the same things! I feel blessed to have found your blog during my journey last night.

Peace,
Vicki

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

I had to laugh about "obnoxiously swelled head"...I feel the exact same way about Michael Flately although I do love Irish dancing.
Isn't the blogging world an amazing place..in a matter of a few moments a connection was made. I love that.
I haven't seen Loreena's video, I must look for that.

Sue Simpson said...

WOW Julie,
a fantastic post....and a Happy Beltain to you too! It was a wonderfully sunny fay here in the UK. I LOVE Beltain...the creative spirit rises from now on!
And another Lorena McKennitt (Can't spell it) fan! Excellent!
Bright blessings,
Is it ok if I put a link to your blog from mine?

Sue x

Julie said...

Sue,

You certainly may post a link to my blog on yours. And I will post a link to yours on mine, when I get around to adding my links! Lila from Indigo Pears (www.indigopears.blogspot.com)taught me how to do it so that all but the name of the blog is hidden, but I'm kind of scared to get started. I'm no computer whiz!

Annie Jeffries said...

Happy May Day Julie. A little late but the wish is timeless. Hugs, Annie