Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Mayflowers and Pilgrims

 Purplish-Blue Mayflowers, April 1, 2012

We still have a few dirt roads in the area, and they're a pleasant place to take a walk on a Sunday afternoon. We were surprised to see Mayflowers, already! Usually we see them the first part of May. When I was a kid, to celebrate May 1 (May Day), we would stuff little homemade construction paper baskets with candy and Mayflowers, then take them to the neighbors', leave them on their doorstep, and run away. I'm not sure why we ran off afterwards, but it must have been a tradition from somewhere. Actually, now that I'm dredging the depths of my little gray cells, I'm thinking that if we left them on the doorstep of a little boy, we were supposed to then ring the doorbell and he was supposed to go to the door, see us running off, and chase us down to give us a kiss. Am I making that up?

Some years we have such a cold spring that we don't see Mayflowers until the middle of May, so this was a very nice surprise. Aren't they beautiful! If we keep having warm temps this week, the whole floor of the woods should be covered with them. Right now there are clusters here and there.

 More Mayflowers

 No alteration was done to this photo.
The sky was really a beautiful blue!

One of the few remaining dirt roads in Wisconsin.
And no, I wouldn't want to live on a dirt road, for I have enough
dust and dirt in my house with two dogs and two cats.
But dirt roads are sure nice for a walk.

I have decided that the next best thing to public footpaths, as they have in Britain, are dirt roads. I don't think we're allowed to walk along old railroad right-of-ways or snowmobile trails or ATV trails. But there is almost no traffic on a dirt road, so they make the perfect place for walking. Over the summer, I'm going to see how many dirt roads I can find in our area. It's nice having a change of scenery. Well, it's still woods, ponds, creeks, and hills, but they're in various arrangements, and I never tire of them. We also see occasional eagles, hawks, cranes, beavers, etc.  I'm eager to see what I can find this spring and summer!

What's your favorite place to walk?


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18 comments:

Unknown said...

We did May baskets too when I was a kid!! I'm so glad you said you did that, I was talking to some people at work last year about it and they look at me like I had twelve heads!! lol
Gorgeous pictures, as always!!! Can't believe you have those lovely flowers already.. hope a new frost doesn't come rolling in!

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

I loved May Day! I would walk all over town delivering baskets to my friends. Yes, walk. Alone. As a child. It's so unheard of now.

I didn't know those were called May flowers. We always put violets in our may baskets.

Everything is blooming so early!

Amy Burzese said...

A wonderful post. The country is the greatest place to live. (Just not too far out). Let us see all those places you find this summer!

Ruth Kelly said...

When I saw Mayflower in your title, my first thought was the ship coming to America but I was pleasantly surprised with such a beautiful flower - great photography by the way! We have plenty of dirt roads in Utah and Idaho and not lots of traffic but on a weekend, there are always cars scurrying past throwing piles of dirt into the air.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

I didn't know that is what those flowers are called. Wildflowers are so pretty. That sky is gorgeous!! Wisconsin is so pretty in the spring. I favorite time of year!

Anonymous said...

We had something similar in Sweden, every year they created "may flowers" in plastic, which they sold on pins that you could put on your jacket. These flowers are beautiful Judy, looks very nice and spring like. I like dirt roads, grew up beside one. Haven't really seen any here in Ireland yet though.
Have a lovely day!

Eva

Empty Nester said...

Those just might be the prettiest little flowers I've ever seen! I love dirt roads- for walking. There are several around here but we have to sneak over fences for a few of them. LOL

Rachel said...

Those Mayflowers are beautiful!! I don't think I've ever seen them before. I like the purple/blue ones the best!

Hope your family in Texas is okay after the storms we had yesterday!

:)
Rachel

Denise said...

Lovely pictures.

Carla from The River said...

I agree with you Judy. I love to walk on dirt roads too. Sounds like we could write a Country Western song or maybe The Old Dirt road already is a country western song!
:-)

Unknown said...

Judy, I love a good dirt road, that is why I love our country place so much. Your photos are stunning. We walk on our dirt roads every day when we are there weather permitting!!

Mama Hen said...

I love the first picture! Those flowers are the cutest and the color is beautiful! All the pictures are marvelous! Taking a walk or hike on a dirt road is always fun! I used to mountain bike and that was always such a fun thing to do. I hope you are well! Have a great night!

Mama Hen

Yenta Mary said...

Oh, what beautiful, delicate flowers! A lovely picture to start the day ... :)

Candace said...

I don't think I've ever seen those beautiful flowers before. Your first photo is gorgeous, Judy! I'm so sorry that you are dealing with computer issues. That is so frustrating. I hope you get them resolved quickly. Take care and be blessed!

Under Her Wings said...

May baskets, huh? Never done that! I love the dirt road, and would love to take a walk on it. I love to go into the mountains nearby (okay, an hour away) and walk the trails. They are lovely any time of year.

Judy S. said...

I had no idea there were Mayflowers, Judy. Now you've got me thinking about the "April showers bring"....and wondering how the flowers are spelled? Gotta check my garden book to see if they'll grow here. Have a nice Easter!

RURAL said...

I love dirt roads, and like you I think I will try and find some this summer. There should definitely be some around here.

Connie from Far Side used to leave May Baskets at doors also...that's too funny.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you will soon be reunited with your computer.

Love walking out in the park system near my community. There are many walks and trails with lots of ponds, etc. Beautiful! ( Of course, if I had my druthers, I'd pick the Tuileries in Paris, but no such luck!!)

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