May-Day

Half way through this autobiography and the learning curve for what comes next has been relegated to soothsaying. Sometimes Laura is insightful, other times confessional and oft times exaggeratedly and purposefully biographical. She either kept a journal, had a photographic memory or conflated her own time with the general happenings of the world. It's an interesting read for sure but I keep waiting for the ah-ha moment when an alien emerges from a closet.

Of note in this sort segment on page 86 is the lost tradition of May baskets. Whereby a person with amorous feelings would let the recipients of his feelings know via the making of a basket out of pretty wallpaper samples and fill it with flowers, candy, etc. Once completed, the person would place it on the door handle of the loved one, knock and run. The Romeo or Juliet on the receiving end, if interested, pursue the gift bearer and kiss them heartily. The tradition dates back to the European pagan May festival of Beltane. The latter beginning the light half of the year and relating to fertility in all of its simplistic glandular grandeur, as all things in this insect-headed world pertain to.

Trailing Arbutus and May Flowers were the love garnish of choice. Laura recalls them smelling sweeter than any of the expensive scents of Paris where she spent her honeymoon with Otto Marxer. if you were keeping track of such things. I know that I am. Which is why I mentioned the entire episode. Red checkerberries were also added to the basket's delights.