I remember May Days as a young girl. As children we would invite our mothers to school to see the classroom dance around the maypole. Long ribbons were tied to the top of the tether ball pole and each child would hold a ribbon end. We would circle around, weaving in and out of each other, raising arms, lowering arms, moving forward then going back, all the while singing songs. I remember it being very choreographed and having to watch the teacher as she clapped her hands and directed us. We took it very seriously and were so proud when at the end we had covered the gray metal with pretty ribbons.

When my son was little, we would poke holes into paper plates and push rose stems through and then tie a ribbon to the top of the plate. We would sneak up to a neighbors house and hang them on the doorknob, ring the bell and run away. My son would get the biggest kick out of that and when my grandson is older, we will continue that tradition. One year we decorated our 110 pound German Shepherd's collar with flowers. She was gorgeous anyway, but the flowers made her look like a queen. She was well behaved and we walked her through our downtown and everyone made the biggest fuss. I don't even like to think about how May Day has changed. I do hope little children still get to have fun and that we all can rejoice in the beauty of the season!

My wisteria is at its peak and the roses are nearing their peak. Please, take a peek! The first two pictures are  of Red Simplicity by Jackson Perkins. This is a very reliable rose and very easy to grow. We have five red bushes outside our bedroom patio and two dozen pink bushes along our front. They are a variety that is never without a bloom from now through fall.

Along our tree rose border we have two prolifically blooming yellow roses. I wish I knew the name! The last two pictures are David Austin's Abraham Darby. That bush is along the fence of our vegetable garden and grows to seven feet tall.

Carter is helping with the watering.

The next two are Abraham Darby, another David Austin and also along our veg garden fence.

Below is a bicolor David Austin, also along the veg garden fence.

Over the years I have lost the names of many of the roses. Below is another David Austin English rose. This rose showcases what David Austin roses mean to me: heavy, seductive old-rose fragrance, healthy, prolific bloomer, and heavily petaled. It is outside our bedroom patio and when we have the door open, the old rose fragrance is powerful and beautiful. Sweet dreams!

Next is my favorite rose in the garden. It's Pierre De Ronsard, aka, Eden. I'll take another picture next week when it will be smothered in blooms. It stands at the entrance to the vegetable garden and is off our family room patio. 

This next one is my husband's favorite; Climbing First Prize, with blossoms the size of dinner plates. 

We have two Japanese wisterias in the back growing up a large wooden lath structure. This year one bloomed, one didn't. The racemes of this variety get very long, about 4 feet or more. They will continue to grow until the blooms fade and drop. I'll take a picture when they are at their longest. It's really pretty amazing.

I hope this spring day finds you happy and healthy.
Happy Spring.
Happy May Day.
xo Kristen