A Tribute To May and Mother

Whatever happened to May Day? Back in the early ‘40’s when I was growing up in Houston, Texas, we celebrated the first day of May, both at our elementary school and in our neighborhoods. On that day, as first and second graders, we would gather on the playground where the tether ball pole had been designated as “The May Pole.” With the ball removed for this special occasion, crepe paper streamers of all colors had been secured to the top. At the appointed time for our May Pole “dance” to begin, each of us, boys and girls alike, would choose and tightly grasp our favorite colored streamer and begin marching or skipping around the pole, until it was totally entwined with our bright and variegated paper strips. Although it was an incredibly simple activity, it was very enjoyable and meaningful for us, as children, to usher in the month of May!

My most cherished May Day activity, however, during this same era, involved a lot of planning and preparation, which included a huge investment of time by my mother. No sooner was the egg shell project completed, and we would once again be shopping at the same local Dime Store, this time buying one package of crepe paper in every color they stocked! We would also purchase the smallest paper cups we could find, plus a package of pipe cleaners, and, of course, more glue.

For the next few weeks, every night after supper, I would watch, spellbound, as my mother designed and constructed beautiful and dainty May Baskets, each one different from the other. She did this by cutting narrow bands of the various colored crepe paper into the shape of petals, gluing these strips around and around the trimmed-down, shortened version of the paper cups. Then, she would take her thumbs and pinch each crepe paper petal to make it puff outward, giving the entire circle of puffy petals the appearance of a flower. Next she would glue an even narrower strip of green crepe paper to the outer colored petals. These strips had been pre-cut to resemble fronds of grass or leaves.

The green crepe paper was also used to wrap around the pipe cleaners, giving them the likeness of a curved, green flower stem. The pipe cleaner stems were then fastened into the sides of the little paper cups, to serve as a handle for the tiny baskets. With no two baskets alike, and being so completely captivating and adorable, it was very difficult to decide which was my favorite, since I was allowed to keep one for myself.

The final step in this production took place on the evening of April 30th, as we generously filled each flower basket to the brim with small candy treats, which included pastel mints and salted peanuts. The next morning, May 1st, May Day to be exact, I had the long anticipated delight and satisfaction of imparting “our” works of art, distributing them bright and early before going off to school. As I secretly, and very quietly, delivered them to the front steps and porches of my special friends and elderly neighbors, I believed my mother’s May Baskets were the most magnificent and sought after in the world, and I still do!

These are but one more of the hand-made heirlooms I wish I would have kept for posterity to share with my family.

An Egg Carton Revisited

Springtime reminds me of several anecdotes from my childhood. One of my earliest memories is linked to the Easter Season, which involved sitting at the kitchen table to watch my mother cautiously puncture both ends of raw eggs with a sharp needle, perforating them just enough to allow the contents to be blown out, without cracking or destroying the shells! After emptying each one, she would set them safely back into the carton from which they came.

Before this whole process began, she had already been shopping and gathered her simple and inexpensive craft supplies from the local Dime Store (a store very much like our current Dollar Stores, but most items were no more than ten cents!) Her supplies consisted of a basic water color set, a few toothpicks, glue, scissors, and a couple of extra, empty, gray cardboard egg cartons.

The first step involved cutting out the empty carton's individual depressions, or craters, where the eggs had once nestled. These pieces were set aside to be used later for hats and pedestals-like stands. With everything in readiness, the project was about to begin, and I could hardly wait!

I would sit almost motionless, spellbound, practically afraid to breathe, as I watched mother repeatedly and fastidiously dip her tiny brush and toothpicks into the tin of paints, transforming each fragile, hollow shell into a delicate and whimsical face. There were blondes, brunettes, and redheads with blue eyes, brown eyes, and hazel! Even a few freckled-faces! How I loved watching her little eggshell creations emerge! This activity made Easter egg hunting pale in significance.

During the paint-drying process, she cleverly designed and decorated hats and stands, concocted from the carton craters she had cut and set aside earlier. After all of the faces and hairdos were thoroughly dry, she would gently, but securely, glue each delicate face into one of the awaiting cardboard stands. This added the effect of a little collar to each one. Then, to top them off, she would glue on a little hat for their crowning glory!

How I wish I would have preserved some of these charming, hand-made heirlooms to share with my family as a legacy from their Nana Erwin-Furrh.

A Septic Post Script

For those of you who might be wondering why we waited so long...nine months to be exact...to have our new septic system installed, the contractors could not begin the project until there was no rain for two consecutive weeks. Last year it rained relentlessly until the middle of June!