Maypole Dance

  Maypole Dance

It is funny how some memories stick in your mind from long ago and others are forever lost.  As May arrives, I remember being a student in the second grade.  We were taught to weave the maypole in a dance that was presented as a school program.  We were dressed in frilly spring dresses, possibly all white, with patented leather shoes and lace-trimmed knee socks.  The boys were also dressed in fancy spring attire. I don’t remember as many details as I thought I did, but I do remember performing the Maypole dance and how it made me feel.  We practiced our parts for weeks.  The pole was in the middle as we gathered in a large circle around it.  The circle was painted on the ground with each of our spots designated.  The pole was tall and had a wide base so as not to turn over.  Beautiful pastel-colored wide ribbons draped down from a circular disc at the top of the pole.  When we retrieved our individual ribbons, we formed a teepee shape.  The song was an instrumental folk song as I recall.  After searching I’m going to predict it was the “Maypole Dance by RCA Victor Folk Dance Orchestra” or something similar.  It was held outside in front of the school in the parking lot, and the song was blasted over a loudspeaker.

When the dance first started, we went in unison in and out toward the pole to the beat of the music. Then we turned and went to the left for a while and then to the right, equally spaced from each other creating a twirling umbrella effect.  At the opportune time, we began to weave the ribbons by alternating going under and then over the people who were moving in the opposite direction. Every other person was assigned to travel, either clockwise or counterclockwise, and in doing so, we caused the ribbons to braid down the pole.  It was so fascinating to be a part of this celebration as a child.  I remember being mindful about not dropping my ribbon as I raised the ribbon high over my head then lowered it. Again and again, I went under one ribbon and over the next drawing closer and closer to the pole. There were probably four Maypoles or more being woven at the same time that day as all the students in the second grade participated. 

That performance made a big impact on me.  Nearly 60 years later and I am still joyful when I think about that dance.  My current research states that it was a celebration of spring that originated from ancient pagan fertility rituals.  I suppose the Maypole dance held on May 1^st is still being practiced somewhere around the world.  I am just happy that I had the chance to experience it as a child and have it become a core memory of mine.

Tammy Harvey

4/9/2026   

Farmer Hannah

 

Farmer Hannah

She fed the bunnies and the chickens too,

Just as if she knew exactly what to do,

She squealed as she rode atop the toy horse,

Dressed in her overalls and boots, of course,

She pushed the toy wheelbarrow and played in the dirt pan,

Farmer Hannah watered plants with a watering can,

With a bucket in each hand, she ran toward the pens,

Hoping that this day will never end,

If it were not for her naptime, she would have stayed,

She loves to visit farm animals and is not afraid,

She is just a little girl who is not even two,

And she knows now that the cow says “moo”!

(She first thought the cow said “pizza”.)

Tammy Harvey

4/9/2026

Walking a Pet

 

Walking a Pet

Now you may think I’ve lost my mind, but I have a witness to the fact,

About something unusual I saw, much like a circus act,

Driving through my neighborhood, there was a sight to see,

My son was driving and saw it too; he could vouch for me,

We saw dog-walkers, joggers and someone riding a bike,

Folks entering the greenway trail, going for a hike,

When all of a sudden, we passed it, something I had never seen,

A lady was “walking” her pet, and it was big and green!

She carried a huge thick limb, and on the branch, it sat,

A large and exotic-looking parrot who was actually quite fat,

Now I’m not talking about a small, delicate parakeet,

I’m saying a large green parrot was “walking” down the street!

You never know what you might see on sidewalks nowadays,

Clean your glasses, pay attention, and prepare to be amazed.

Tammy Harvey

4/9/2026

Springtime?

 

Springtime?

The bluebirds are eating from my feeder, and my garden flag is waving in the breeze,

Is it truly springtime, or is it just a tease?

The sun is shining brightly as the daffodils emerge,

Is it truly springtime or is it on the verge?

I’ve seen some playful butterflies and even bumblebees,

Is it truly springtime?  Please put my mind at ease,

Everything is greening out, my allergies tell me so,

I demand that spring has sprung, but heaven only knows,

In March, we may have inklings of all four seasons,

Warm then cold, then frost, then hot: we don’t understand the reasons,

Short pants or sweatshirt, what will it be?

Oh, in springtime, we can only wait and see!

Tammy Harvey

4/9/2026

Pine Tree Crosses

 

Pine Tree Crosses

Every day I get so many unsolicited articles on my phone.  Some are advertisements, others are offers, and most are outrageous stories, which are untrue.  So much fake news is fabricated, I am very skeptical to take what I read, especially on Instagram, at face value.  However, on Good Friday I was pleasantly surprised by a post which explained a unique feature of pine trees.  Now, I am not a big fan of pine trees this time of year because their pollen is falling and that turns my respiratory system into a mess.  The itchy throat and headache are enough to make me want to hide inside. Yet, once again I am astounded by the wonders of nature and have to share this remarkable fact. 

Very simply, this unknown lady on an Instagram video explained how the pine tree has a phenomenon in early spring, often close to Easter, where new growth appears and forms a cross-like shape.  This is especially true for white pines.  The “candle” part (new growth) has two small buds out each side that make the cross.  She then showed a photo of the pine trees in this stage.  I immediately could not believe this as I have never heard of this characteristic.  Living in SC and NC most of my life, I have been around an abundance of pine trees.  I ventured out to prove this was another example of clickbait, only to find that on Good Friday, there were indeed tiny crosses at the end of the pine branches high up in the tall pine trees.  What?!  God is so intricate in his creation that he would have this symbol of his death be evident on Good Friday.  I am so pleased this time that I was in the algorithm that produced this fun fact for me.  It is both amazing and inspirational.  It is one of those things that I won’t forget.  Being from Tennessee, I was taught about the significance of the dogwood blossoms, which are also currently in bloom.  These white flowers are cross-shaped as well and have red tipped petals that symbolize the five wounds in Christ’s hands, feet and head.

In addition, the Maypop (passionflower) is symbolic of the Passion of Christ.  In the 16^th century, missionaries used its intimate anatomy to describe the crucifixion.  The crown of thorns is the corona; the wounds are the five anthers, and the nails are the three stigmas.  The climbing tendrils represent the whips used to torture Jesus.  The ten petals and sepals depict the 10 faithful apostles (excludes Judas and Peter) and the three-lobed leaves represent the Holy Trinity:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Isn’t it phenomenal how hidden deep within the structures of nature, there are so many symbolic signs of God’s love for us?  If only we would take the time to notice them.

Wishing the peace that comes from the power of the Resurrection to everyone.

Tammy Harvey

4/4/2026 

Close, but no Cigar

 

B-I-N-G-O

The crowd is large, the room is a buzz,

Nothing brings excitement like Bingo does,

Everyone here is in their golden years,

Trading smiles with each other as the hour nears,

Picking lucky numbers on the worn-out cards,

Every other Tuesday, we are really diehards,

The place becomes silent when it is starting time,

Numbers ring out like a church bell’s chime,

Anticipation grows as one number is lacking,

Waiting for that win; it’s a little nerve-wracking,

The caller announces the next number… and then,

Someone yells “BINGO”, and I did not win,

Close but no cigar, as they say,

I will win another day,

It’s a plus to win, but the real prize here,

Is being with friends that I hold dear.

Tammy Harvey

3/30/2026

Forgetful

 

I Forgot

Birthdays and appointments are on the list,

Of things I often will forget,

Sometimes I walk into a room,

Did I come for a snack, or did I come for a broom?

Did I lock the door?  Did I take my pill?

Did I make the phone call?  Did I pay that bill?

My memory is not what it used to be,

I’m leaving now, do I have my key?

I’m always misplacing my glasses or phone,

Please let me know that I’m not alone,

Something what I tend to forget the most,

Is updating this blog with a new post!

Tammy Harvey

3/24/2026