by
Jean Hughes
May 15, 1995
Maytime! Maytime! In April I give my applause to the little wildflowers of the hills, but in May it is time to stand up and cheer for the blossoming trees: the maple, oaks, dogwoods, redbuds, plums and cherries, and my favorites -- the apples.

To stand under a blossoming apple tree, with petals floating slowly down around me, and with apple perfume saturating the air, is nature's perfection.

I live a golden life in May. Its days are treasures. The golden sassafras blooms in the sun. The buckeye trees bloom golden, tinged with orange. Sunshine is concentrated into the golden senecios. Beneath the golds, crowds of creamy Mayapple blossoms bring me to my knees, so I can get my nose close enough to enjoy whiffs of their delicate scents.

Today, I've come to check on life down by the lake. Ten mallard ducklings streak across the waves. They skim about at a terrific pace. Sometimes, they paddle so fast they raise themselves on tip-toe, and travel like tiny, self-propelled water skiers.

The mother duck swims around, quacking frantically, but the little bundles of fluff are oblivious to her calls. With wild abandon, they dart in every direction. I can almost hear them calling, "Yippee! Life is a joy ride!"


It is warm today, and I am busy with spring, so I make an easy, refreshing dessert for dinner.

Fresh Fruit Medley
Mix in bowl or blender jar: 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar,
1 egg, 1/8 t. salt, 1 T. cornstarch, juice and lightly grated
rind of 1 lemon.
Cook mixture over medium heat until thickened, stirring
constantly. Cool to room temperature.
Dice into bowl: 1 orange, 1 banana, 1 unpeeled apple, 
1 cup quartered strawberries. If desired, add:
1/2 cup diced, fresh pineapple, pear or grapes.
Pour cooled sauce over fruit. 
Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serves 4.

As I walk along the road this morning, I hear a warbling. The witchery, witchery, witchy song sounds like someone saying, "Who are you? Who are you, honey?" I find the caller in a rose bush. It is a common yellowthroat, hiding behind his Lone Ranger mask. He flirts down the lane with me.

As I turn toward home, the bird is still calling, "Who are you, honey?" I answer, "Wish I knew. Wish I knew, honey."

* * *
In May, some days are warm and some are cool. The average is spring-perfect. Rain or shine, hot or cold, I enjoy every kind of weather. I feel toward my days as my nephew said he felt when his grandmother asked him why he didn't settle down to one girl. He replied, "Gram, I love 'em all."

* * *
In spring, it is the twilight days that are special to me, because colors of flowers and birds are so distinct. 
          Rain and Clouds

          I love a springtime, twilight day
          When grass is greened by windy showers
          And turtles plod their destiny
          And toads spring up between the flowers.
          I love a day when light is low
          And all the earth is held in dew.
          Sunshine is not all of spring --
          Rain and clouds are springtime, too.
* * *
I have been out for my evening walk, and as I turn toward home, it is just sundown. It has been cloudy, but at the last minute, the sun breaks through. It sets up a twilight glow over all the hills. The tree tops are lit with golden flames that fade slowly into the dark.

I sit on my back porch. The earth and sky are dusty-blue. Sounds are distinct, not as they are in summer, when there is a constant din. A muskmelon-tinted moon sails in place. Dark clouds cluster above it. A cool breeze blows away the heat of the day.

From far away, a mourning dove calls its lonesome refrain. I hear one peeper and one whippoorwill. When do whippoorwills stop for breath?

I call a lilting "coo-ah-coo" to cheer the dove, and mime a mockingbird by whistling every bird song that I know. May is a madrigal of bird songs.

There is a special beauty on the earth tonight. I love to feel a part of the wild, singing heartbeat of the spring. I whisper to my lovely hills: Oh, how beautiful is a day and a night in May.

Copyright 1995, Jean Hughes.

Jean's book of ramblings and recipes "A Country Mile of Winter" and her book of poetry "The Earth's My Home" are available for $4.95 each plus $1.30 for postage and handling. Her nature letter "Diary of a Back Yard Naturalist", published 5 times yearly, is available for $12.50 per year. Ten of Jean's favorite recipes will be included free with each book or nature letter ordered. Order from...

Country Mile Publications
616 E. Monroe St.
Delphi, Indiana 46923

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