Welcome May!

 Hello May

While the month of April has only 30 days, it seemed more like 300 this year so May is more than welcome.  Let's hope things return to normal very quickly.  At least the weather will be conducive to more outdoor activities. 

Here are some fast facts about the month of May.

Holidays

May Day
Cinco de Mayo
National Teacher Day
Mothers Day
Victoria Day
Memorial Day
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Asian American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
National Bike Month

Symbols of May

• Birthstone: Emerald
• Flower: Lily of the Valley
• Zodiac signs: Taurus and Gemini

History:

The month of May was named for the Greek goddess Maia. She was the goddess of fertility. The Romans had a similar goddess named Bona Dea. They held the festival for Bona Dea during the month of May.

The Romans called the month Maius. The name changed over the years. It was first called May in the 1400s near the end of the Middle Ages.

Historical Names:

• Roman: Maius
• Saxon: Thrimilci
• Germanic: Wonne-mond

Fun Facts about May

• It is the third and last month of the season of spring.
• The birthstone of May, the emerald, symbolizes success and love.
• May in the Northern Hemisphere is similar to November in the Southern Hemisphere.
• May was once considered a bad luck month to get married. There is a poem that says "Marry in May and you'll rue the day".
• In Old English May is called the "month of three milkings" referring to a time when the cows could be milked three times a day.
• The Indianapolis 500 car race is held each year during this month. The Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse race, is also held on the second Saturday of this month.
• The month of May is devoted to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church.
• The United Kingdom celebrates May as the National Smile Month.
• The last week of May is Library and Information Week.

An Observation and An FYI

First, an observation:
It's occurred to me that all those morons out there protesting against stay-at-home rules put in place by many governors are all of a sudden pro choice.  Their argument is that government is interfering with their rights.  Never mind the possibility that when they mingle in public they could be endangering others.  That doesn't count.  Idiots all of them...and surprise, surprise.  Ninety nine percent of them are Trump supports!

That was my rant for the day.  Now on to a word about my web site georgeswebpage.com.

It seems the software I used to create and update the site is so old it will no longer operate on my computer. I am therefore in the process if switching to a new procedure.  This will take time as I have to learn how to do a few things.  The site is still up but I haven't updated it since February. 

Since then I've taken several cool pictures.  I'll post some of them here until my new site is up and running.  Then I'll switch back.

Here's the first.  I took this one morning last week.  It's a barred owl and it's perched in a Kousa dogwood tree about 20 feet from my house. I hear them in the woods all the time but it's the first one I've actually seen in my yard and we've been here 34 years.

Home Schooling

The governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont, has declared that the soonest public schools can open is now May 20th.  At that time a decision will be made about the rest of the year.

Schools have been closed for about a month.  Parents have had to homeschool.  The good news is there are  numerous resources at their disposal to help them and many school systems have made arrangements for teachers to stream lessons. 

The bad news is that even with all the support available, it's still a burden for parents.  The curriculum and methodology today has changed dramatically since the time parents were in school.  This is especially true where teaching math is concerned.  And picture yourself a parent of a high school student taking a math class like trigonometry or calculus or one of the sciences, i.e. earth science, biology, chemistry or physics.   It would be virtually impossible for most parents to effectively teach those subjects. 

As I mentioned in a previous post it's during times like these when you have a new appreciation for the Internet.

Being a retired teacher I am familiar with the challenges parents face.  Many parents don't even know how to begin. 

One thing is very true and I've heard experts say it over and over.  Routine is important.  Establish a routine.  Kids will get used to it and things will go more smoothly.  Be organized and consistent.  Those are important suggestions. 

Unfortunately I can't even offer assistance to my grand children because we are quarantined.  But everyone in my family at least seems to be doing very well.

And here's a final observation.  This is an ideal time for the federal government to be a tremendous asset during these difficult times.   Have you heard anything from Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education?  Me neither.  Pathetic disgrace. 

Remember all this in November.

Greetings April

Hello April

Birthstone: Diamond
Flower: Daisy or Sweet Pea

·       April Fools' Day
Autism Awareness Day
Easter
Earth Day
Arbor Day
National Poetry Month
National Arab American Heritage Month
Teacher Appreciation Week
Jazz Appreciation Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Cancer Control Month

• April 1 is All Fools’ Day—otherwise known as “April Fools’ Day.” Where did this silly day come from?
• April 8 marks the start of Passover (beginning at sundown). What is Passover?
• April 10 is Good Friday. Learn more about Good Friday.
• April 12 is Easter Sunday. (April 19 is Orthodox Easter.)  Did you know that Easter’s date is related to the full Moon?
• April 22 is Earth Day. To celebrate, see some Earth Day ideas and activities.
• April 23 marks the start of Ramadan (beginning at sundown). 
• April 24 is National Arbor Day. Find out who started Arbor Day and how we observe this day honoring trees.
• April 24 is also the birthday of Robert B. Thomas, the founder of The Old Farmer’s Almanac!

Fun Facts about April

• It is the second month of spring. It is a time of planting and spring cleaning.
• In the Southern Hemisphere, April is the same as October in the Northern Hemisphere.
• The diamond of April symbolizes innocence.
• The Boston Marathon is held during April.
• In Ancient Rome the month of April was sacred to the goddess Venus.
• The Japanese fiscal year for most businesses starts on April 1st.
• In England there are many cuckoo festivals. The arrival of the cuckoo bird in April is a signal that spring has arrived.
• April is the month when the professional baseball season begins in the United States.