May’s arrival brings tulips, yard sales

‘May is full of promises” as the song from “Carousel” reminds us. It begins with May Day and moves on to Bloomsday, which has turned into a “multi-major” (yes, I invented the word but the President does it all the time) event. Following close behind are the Junior Lilac Parade, Mother’s Day, college graduations and a host of flower and art shows. It is a race to see which pops up first, yard sale signs or tulips.

I was born in May in 1933, the same year as Yoko Ono, Carol Burnett and Quincy Jones. Checking further, I learned that America faced troubling times but displayed our trademark optimism and patriotism. Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany; Albert Einstein settled in America; Mohatma Gandhi started his first hunger strike; Prohibition was repealed; the singing telegram was introduced; Monopoly swept the country; hit songs included “Night and Day” and “Lazy Bones”; the World Series winner was the New York Giants while Kentucky was the national basketball champion; and President Roosevelt reminded us that “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

I started to compare prices then and now but when I saw that gasoline was 10 cents a gallon, I became discouraged and turned the page. The last thing to catch my eye was the introduction of a new advertising campaign for Ivory Soap – “99 44/100% pure … it floats.” Such a calming image.

A smile is just a frown turned upside down

I continue to be fascinated by people’s willingness to be injected with Botox (a derivative of the bacterial toxin that causes botulism) to eliminate frown lines. But after reading a Ruth Rosen column in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2002, I realized why I really don’t want to lose my frown lines. Rosen reminds us that frowns are a powerful way of expressing “skepticism, doubt and displeasure.” They reflected my early rebellion against racial segregation and my disgust with the arrogance of some elected officials. While it is sometimes difficult to speak out, nonviolent resistance on your forehead can be a powerful alternative. Without the carefully honed frown, would we be a nation of placid Stepford Wives? I have earned my frown lines and am not likely to turn them upside down anytime soon.

Summer books

The Moran Prairie Library Book Sale will be June 2 at the new library building, 59th Avenue and Regal. Check out the beautiful new building, especially the innovative children’s section.

Mother’s Day question

The Older Women’s League has distributed its 2006 Mother’s Day Report, which is sent to legislators and asks this question: “Women and Long Term Care – Where Will I Live and Who Will Take Care of Me?” The report focuses on the challenges facing women and consumers in accessing and providing long-term care. For details, contact the League at owlinfo@owl-national.org.

In closing…

“Scintillate,” by Roger McGough:

I have outlived

my youthfulness

so a quiet life for me.

Where once

I used to

scintillate

now I sin

til ten

past three.

P.S. I am not signing up for Medicare Part D.