May SKI Tips, 2025

May 1 is May Basket Day. This tradition was popular through the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with children or sweethearts. The custom was to knock on the door, yell “May basket!” and then run. If the recipient caught the giver, he or she was entitled to a kiss. In Hawaii it’s called “Lei Day,” and people make pretty leis for each other. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May bush; typically, this was a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers and ribbons. People in Britain welcome spring by “Bringing in the May,” or gathering cuttings of flowering trees for their homes. The French have a tradition of giving each other Lily of the Valley since it is their special May Day flower.

Ten women have started the Indianapolis 500: Janet Guthrie (1977-79); Desire Wilson (1982-84); Lyn St. James (1992-97, 200-); Sarah Fisher (2000-04, 2007-10); Danica Patrick (2005-11); Milka Duno (2007-09); Ana Beatriz (2010-12); Simona de Silvestro (2010-12); Pippa Mann (2011,2013-16); Katherine Legge (2012).

Early in the month you can still plant cool-weather crops such as lettuce, radishes, carrots, onions and potatoes.

Prune early-spring-flowering trees and shrubs as blooms fade.

What causes toasted skin syndrome? Exposing your skin directly to low-grade heat repeatedly for long periods of time can lead to “erythema ab igne”. The heat sources can include space heaters at close range, heating pads, hot water bottles, heated car seats and even laptops.

A heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. This combination reduces your body’s ability to cool itself.

The Middlemist Red Carmellia, or Camillia japonica “Middlemist’s Red”, is an exceptionally rare flower with vibrant pinkish-red petals. There are only two living specimens in the world, are in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The way it smells after it rains is called petrichor.

Drought tolerant flowers in Indiana include: cosmos, salvias, annual vinca, narrow-leaved zinnias, portulaca (moss rose), wax begonias, and Melampodium. Avoid impatiens.
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You don't have muscles in your fingers that help you move them. They're controlled by the muscles in your palms and arms.