Every Friday I usually post Food for Thought recipes, but since there are five Fridays in May and since today is May 1, I decided to introduce this month with more from The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden.
The chapter for May opens with a lovely pastoral scene—ewes and lambs enjoying some spring sunshine and a quiet moment. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Edith’s notes for May include many references to birding.
“I saw a great variety of birds on the moor” (May 1st)
“...found two Blackbirds nests with eggs.” (May 2nd)
“A Pied Wagtail’s nest in a heap of cut granite in the quarry and a Black-bird’s nest in a cleft in the rock.” (May 6th)
She also included numerous references to spring flowers: yellow pimpernel, wood sorrel, blue milkwort, and marsh violets. On May 4th she “Found a ripe strawberry.” I'll bet it was fresh, sweet, and still warm from the sunshine. Luscious.
This illustration really does capture springtime, doesn’t it?
Can you spot the butterfly? I'm not sure I can!
Then there’s the weather. “Eighth day without rain, and sixth of bright sunshine” (May 12th).
I'm with Edith on this one. Winter’s over and we’re seeing an end to the dreary April showers. Finally!
In her May notes, she quotes some of my favorite poets—Tennyson, Milton, and this well-known passage from “Pippa Passes” by Robert Browning:
The year’s at the spring,Happy May Day! I truly hope all is right with your world.
The day’s at the morn;
The morning’s at seven;
The hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn,
God’s in his heaven;
All’s right with the world.
Until next time,
Lee
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