Happy May Day!

According to a Renaissance tradition in France, the muguet flower (lily-of-the-valley) grows on both sides of the Gates of Paradise, and its bell-like flowers ring as a soul enters Heaven. As it comes into bloom around this time of year, it is offered on May Day in France as a porte-bonheur, a sign of good luck for the coming year. Not to favor the pagan over the Christian, today is also the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, but that tradition is barely a tradition.

To all our readers: Très bon 1er mai!