A mother is a mother still,
The holiest thing alive."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

Mid-Atlantic Regional Weather Watch:   Fair and mild (1,2,3,4) with showers and Storms mainly in the south (5,6,7). Fair and warm weather (8,9,10,11,12,13,14) with more showers and Storms (15,16,17). Fair and warm yet again (18,19,20) with still more showers and Storms 21,22,23). Again, fair and warm (24,25,26) with yet more showers and Storms (27,28,29). Fair and very warm (30,31)

Full Moon: May has naturally become known as the Flower Moon because of the many flowers blooming after those April showers! It also has been known as the Milk Moon because cows appeared to produce more milk during this month. May's Full Moons in 2010 occurs on the 27th at 6:07PM EST.

Special Notes: Spring cleaning should be almost done but in case you have yet to complete this yearly task, simply point your favorite web browser to http://www.merrymaids.com/timesav.html for some tips on tough cleaning challenges or try http:/allergies.about.com/cs/springcleaning for some homemade cleaning product recipes.

Holidays: Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on its traditional day, May 5th and Mother's Day is celebrated on Sunday May 10th. Make sure she knows how much you appreciate her role in creating who you are. A smallest gesture of bright flowers or a nice dinner out will tell her just how special she is! Armed Forces Day falls on Thursday, May 20th and Memorial Day, on Monday, May 31st. Remember that without the dedication and sacrifices of our military today and in the past, we would surely not be enjoying the freedoms we have today. Make every effort to show them your appreciation with a moment of silence as you celebrate their days.

The Garden: Once your last frost data has passed, warm season crops can be planted. When the ground temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it is safe to begin planting Okra, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Eggplant, Peppers, Peanuts, Watermelon, Cow Peas, Black-eyed Peas, Crowder Peas, Butter Peas and Butter Beans. Trim up hedges and shrubs to shape and tighten them with new growth. Most flowering shrubs will respond to a light trimming at this time of year. Don't trim away too many of the emerging buds or you won't have as many flowers. Hold off mowing the lawn until it reaches a height slightly higher then recommended. Begin pinching annuals and perennials so the plants fill in and produce more blooms. Prune evergreens when the new growth starts to turn a darker shade of green. Also, prune stone fruits (cherry, almond, peach, nectarine, plum) at bloom time.

J. Grubers' Thought for Today's Living:

"Gardens are for all ages: the young, for hope of the future; the elderly for fond memories of the past; and for in between, the rewards of a good life now"