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Saturday 1 May 2021

Say Hello To May


As we say hello to the new month of May, yes the fifth month of the year, for those who live in the Northern hemisphere, we say goodbye to  cooler days and look forward to warmer ones. With spring flowers blooming, birds chirping, many of us find life is starting to seem a little more joyful, especially in these Covid times!

If you’re on the other side of the world, in the southern hemisphere, then it’s a time when summer is gone and the nights are getting colder and darker, warm soups and hearty casseroles may start appearing in menu plans.

But, no matter where in the world you are, I wish you a Happy May.

A Few Facts
The name May is the modern-day English adaption of the Latin word Maius, which has origins going back to the time of the ancient Greeks. They named the month of May (or Maius) after the Greek goddess of growth.

Every year there is a particular meteor shower in May called the Eta Aquariids meteor shower. Discovered in 1870, this meteor shower passes by Earth between April 19 and May 28. It’s easiest to view it from the equatorial regions of the world and can be glimpsed passing by just before dawn.

May is pretty exclusive when it comes to days of the week. No other month in one single year starts or finishes on the same weekday as May. Basically, if the first of May is on a Friday, and the 31st of May is on a Sunday, no other months in the year will start or end on a Friday or a Sunday!

The birthstone for May is the emerald. Emeralds typically range from a deep-sea green to a lighter colour. Emeralds are symbols of fertility and rebirth.

May actually has two birth flowers – the Lily-of-the-Valley and the Hawthorn. The Hawthorn flower is a symbol of hope, while the Lily-of-the-Valley represents the return of happiness and sweetness.

May also has two Zodiac signs, Taurus and Gemini. People born under the sign of Taurus are said to be ambitious and smart, yet trustworthy. Those born under the sign of Gemini are said to be passionate, adaptable, and smart. If you have a May birthday I wish you a happy one.
The above facts and more can be seen here


Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, music and recipes!

Please note, not all recipe suggestions may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

37 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Happy May Day! The flowers are lovely.

Enjoy your weekend!

Tom said...

...time sure goes by quickly.

Catarina said...

Hello May!!

CJ Kennedy said...

Himself's birthday is this month. He's a Taurus. I'll have to see if the clump of Lily of the Valley is starting to bloom.

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks for the interesting facts about May! Have a great month, Valerie

pam nash said...

Interesting as always. For us though, May is usually the first month of summer (the last month being October!).

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm on the cusp between Aries and Taurus, so I'm a bit mixed up (grin). I loved reading about the days in May starting and ending as they do. That was new information to me. I also found some lilies of the valley in my garden this week. Happy May to you, dear Jan.

Martha said...

Happy May! :)

Jeanie said...

I'm a big fan of your first of the month posts and since May is a favorite month, all the more. My lilies of the valley are poking their stalks out of the ground but we won't see blooms for a few weeks. They are one of my favorites! Happy May!

Ygraine said...

What a fabulous post! I had never heard of the meteor shower that occurs around this time of the year. How interesting. I wonder if we would be lucky enough to glimpse it from our part of the world?
Lily of the Valley and Hawthorne are two of my favourites!😊😊

Happy May Day!!

Hugs xxx

Inger said...

I enjoyed the background on the month of May. And then I caught a glimpse of your last post, so I will check it out. Casserole, I think I saw, haddock?

Jo said...

I can't believe it's May already and that a third of the year has gone by in the blink of an eye.

Jenn Jilks said...

Hooray for May!

Divers and Sundry said...

Happy May Day!

Christine said...

Happy May Day!

DMS said...

I love May. So much to celebrate and enjoy. Blooms are everywhere and always make me smile. :)
~Jess

Mary Kirkland said...

Happy May.

Hilly Nicolay said...

I love May.
The beautiful flowers, the blossoms, the sun.

Have a nice weekend, greetings,
Hilly

Elephant's Child said...

A very, very happy May to you and yours.

R's Rue said...

Hello May.

A Cuban In London said...

Happy May Day! :-)

Greetings from London.

William Kendall said...

Quite informative.

Teresa said...

Feliz mes de mayo para ti. Besos.

happyone said...

Happy May! It is my birthday month, but not till the end on the 30th.

J.P. Alexander said...

adoro el mes de mayo. Me encanto todo lo que contaste sobre Γ©l. Te mando un beso

Margaret D said...

Interesting about May.

Sussi said...

interesting! Happy May to you too!

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

May is my beloved month. Unfortunately, it started out cold and rainy. It has been raining for several days and I miss the sun a lot.
I wish you a beautiful, sunny and warm May:)

roughterrain crane said...

May has two faces: spring and summer;shivering and sunburn. πŸ˜€

Sami said...

Interesting facts about May.
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday.

Sue said...

A great post, our Peony comes out in May and it always gets battered, so I know that rain and wind are on their way. Take care and have a wonderful May, Sue xx

My name is Erika. said...

I always enjoy your new month info and facts. This month is no exception. Happy May!

Conniecrafter said...

I love how everything is just blooming wonderfully in April and May, and so sweet that we have had enough rain this year that everything has such a rich green color to them!

Martha said...

Happy May! Wishing you a wonderful month ahead.

Jules said...

May feels to have arrived quickly this year. I just wish the temperatures would catch up. X

Magic Love Crow said...

Happy May! Thank you for the interesting facts! Big Hugs!

Snowbird said...

I always enjoy these lovely monthly posts, always so intersting.xxx