The month of May takes its name from Maia, the Greek goddess of growth and the mother of Hermes. Fittingly, May marks the height of spring’s renewal. It’s the fifth month in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars—a surprisingly consistent detail in the ever-shifting world of timekeeping.
Curiously, May carries an old superstition: it’s considered an unlucky month for weddings. This belief is partly tied to the ill-fated marriages of Mary, Queen of Scots, who wed in May with tragic results. On the other hand, May seems to smile on U.S. presidents—none have died in this month, and two, Harry S. Truman and John F. Kennedy, were born in May.
Spring is in full bloom. Tender blossoms exude their sweet fragrance as winter’s bitter frosts recede. The warming air and diaphanous mists incite the passions and thoughts turn naturally to the ardor of spring – to love, rebirth, renewal, and salad.
You may not have known it, but in the United States, May is National Salad Month. By an astonishing coincidence, the second full week of May is National Herb Week. It’s a time to celebrate the verdure of the earth with verdure on a plate. Or in a bowl—salad is just that versatile!
Carnivorous readers disinclined to celebrate National Salad Month can choose from any of the following celebrations, all of which last the entire month of May:
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
National Smile Month
Digestive Diseases Awareness Month
National Barbeque Month
National Bike Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
More Than Just a Pretty Face Month
Demand Euphoria!
The Haus of Dcaligari 