Are you other Morris-types ready?
We’re praying for decent weather. It’s been a nasty spring here.
This will likely be my last year with the Morris kids, as my daughter will graduate to the adult troupe next year (and, while they can always use musicians, they rehearse on Wednesday nights, which is when I have choir rehearsal). I’m going to miss it!
Redwolf
I thought you were going to warn us about Bay area political festivities. . . .
Nope. May Day is all about Morris Dancing. Don’t you know that, if Morris Dancers don’t dance the sun up on May Day, it won’t rise at all? That’s serious business here in California!
Redwolf
Agh! Pagans! Heathen Spring Rites! There’ll be human sacrifices at the sacred oak tree next. 
Oh, tsk. These are kinder, gentler times. “Sacrificing a virgin” has taken on a different, um, dynamic.
Nah…we dance at churches and bookstores these days.
Though we could probably arrange a human sacrifice if we had a willing volunteer…
Redwolf
Ah May Day, Red Square, masses of soldiers and missles, thousands of flag wavers and marchers! Vodka flowing! Those were the days my friend.
Cinco de Mayo is the big festival in this area, especially in Detroit.
MarkB
I’ve never quite gotten over not being chosen as one of the May-pole girls in kindergarten.
I don’t know where I could have gotten this idea, and I’m sure I’m mistaken, but anonymity seems to diminish the terrifying effect of possible embarrassment, so: I got the impression somewhere that Morris dancers hit each other with clubs. Is there some sort of dancing in which people do hit each other with clubs?
Well, they don’t hit EACH OTHER (at least not on purpose, though accidents do happen), but they do whack sticks together!
Here’s everything you never wanted to know about Morris Dancing:
http://www.geocities.com/shmorrissc/morrisdancing.html
And here’s how we spent LAST May Day. This May Day will be similar:
http://www.geocities.com/shmorrissc/mayday04.html
Redwolf the Morris Mom
Funny how that bit about “adult males only” got left off. 
Well, it hasn’t been like THAT for a long time! In fact, the jury is out as to exactly when it became a “men-only” event, but it certainly isn’t today.
Redwolf
Oh! Time to start making paper baskets, for wildflowers.
This year Spokane’s Lilac Bloomsday Run falls on May Day. It’s always the 1st Sunday in May. Check out the course at http://bloomsdayrun.com It’s kind of neat to walk the course - every registered runner/walker who finishes and turns in their tag gets a T-shirt.
I miss Bloomsday! It’s the greatest race ever!
Do you still get special offers in town after the race if you show up in your Bloomsday shirt?
Redwolf
I would much prefer a good old fashion Baccanalian frenzy around the old oak tree on Mayday.
Oh, this brings back nightmares of May Pole and morris dancing at school.
Mukade
Alford windmill at dawn again. Then Spilsby I believe and on to the scarecrow festival. There may be a visit to a pub at some time.
If any of you spot Wjndbag on the board anywhere please remind him to be there on time. (Heh, heh. Ya oversleep one year and they never let you forget it, eh Patrick? 
)
I think some places do - the only one I could find quickly was a discount at Riverfront Park.
I’m always too tired afterwards to take advantage of any of the offers anyway. 