Hello Friends!

As a child, May Day meant sneaking up to neighbors’ doors and putting a homemade basket filled with fresh-picked flowers on their doorknob, knocking, and running away–hoping not to be discovered. Every May 1st, I always hoped I could find some flowers to fill those baskets, and not just dandelions. So, to me, May Day had everything to do with surprising someone with a floral arrangement that might not be the prettiest they’d ever seen, but it still held a lot of love.

I don’t think children follow that tradition any longer. Correct me if I’m wrong! Of course, things have dramatically changed in society since I was a little girl. Sadly, nowadays, if someone sneakily stuck something on our doorknob and ran off, we’d be paranoid to even open the door. Also, as parents, we generally discourage our children to go up to the doors of strangers. On the bright side, in our neighborhood, we do have some children who know us and occasionally, we get a knock on our door from them when they’re doing fundraisers for school. I’ve bought candles I don’t need–and candy bars–but it feels good to support their activities.

So, back to May Day. I didn’t receive any kind of basket or May 1st greeting, but that’s okay. I’ve been blessed throughout this month with flowers. Some I grew myself, and others were given to me.

My little garden is coming to life, but this photo doesn’t do it justice. The shrubs in the forefront are a lovely shade of yellow-green, so try to imagine that!

I was given a peony bush several years ago from a dear friend, and up until this year, it only had one bloom. I was able to enjoy more this year! I guess the bush has finally gotten ‘settled in.’ Joining it in this arrangement are some of my knock-out roses. They tend to do well every year.

Last, but not least by any means, is a photo of a beautiful arrangement given to me by another friend as a thank-you for helping her out with her daughter’s wedding. I don’t feel I did much! I think I was more of a moral support than anything, but it was so sweet of her to gift me with these flowers.

I realize that this isn’t my typical newsletter, but I felt compelled to share this with you. So often, we get caught up in the world’s negativity that it’s nice to remember that if we just look, we can see the beauty that it constantly produces.

I find it interesting that the term ‘mayday’ means help me. I’d never before associated May Day with mayday, but in respect to this newsletter, I think the two go hand in hand. Perhaps you needed a little pick-me-up and were feeling the cry of “mayday, mayday.” I hope that I helped a little!

In addition to enjoying flowers this month, I’ve also been doing a lot of writing. I’m on track to have Ardent Adelia finished by the end of June. Of course, I always say “barring any unforeseen event.” We never know when life will knock us sideways. Still, I’m hopeful.

I’m also excited to be doing some book-related events. Tomorrow, you can find me in Manchester, TN, with my fellow author and friend, J.L. Lawrence. She writes epic fantasy as well as sweet, contemporary love stories. We’ll be at the Mystical Magical Mayhem Crafts Show at the Manchester Rotary Park Greenway. 94 McGuire Street, Manchester, TN. The event is from 10:00 till 5:00, and since it’s outside in a park, we’re praying for rain-free weather. We’ll both have a large selection of our books to sign and sell. I hope to see you there!

Next week, I’ll be presenting two writing workshops at the Clarksville Writers Conference in Clarksville, TN. June 4th-6th. You can still register for this awesome event! For more information, check out their website: https://clarksvillewritersconference.com/

I hope you’ve had a wonderful May and maybe enjoyed some flowers of your own! Never forget to look for the beauty in the world, especially on days that seem extraordinarily glum.

Love you all!

Jeanne