"Hurray. Hurray! The First of May! Outside screwing starts today!"

For as long as I can remember - and I have the best memory of anyone you know - that was always the first thing I heard my Mom say on this day. 

She would say it to each of her six kids as we came down for breakfast; she would say it to her friends when they came over for coffee;  she would cheerfully answer the phone with that greeting, not caring who was on the other end.  There was always a big grin on her face and a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

My Mom - and I have noted this before - was a woman of surpassing beauty (although we were, of course, oblivious to that). This is a picture of me and my older brother Jay and Mom from sometime in the 1960s - I'm going to guess she was in her early forties, although ... funny, huh? ... I can't wrap my head around looking at a picture of Mom and imagining the woman in the photo being younger than I am now.

On the morning of every May 1 since I moved out of my parents' house, I would call my Mom.  Every one of my siblings did, too.  We'd call just to hear the music of her voice as she answered the phone with "Hurray, Hurray!  The First of May!  Outside screwing starts today!"

It never occurred to me that this little bit of doggerel was in some way "inappropriate" to teach young children.  That's a label that has sprung up relatively recently.  I don't think any one of us was poisoned by what we heard.  It amused my Mom, it amused us greatly, and it became as much a part of our family fabric as any nursery rhyme we ever heard.

I didn't - and won't - call my Mom today. 

I know where she is right now, as I type this.  She's sitting in her green chair, across from my Dad's chair.  Dad is up in bed - he sleeps late now.  The TV is on, although if you asked her, Mom wouldn't be able to identify the program.

She'll probably sit there all morning, waiting for Dad to get up.  Now and again, she'll reach for her purse and fumble around inside it, looking for ... something.  She'll carefully undo each of the zippers and sift through the contents of the pockets of her purse.  She'll re-zip every pocket just as carefully, and set the purse down.  And in a few minutes, she'll pick up her purse and start looking through it again.

I'm not going to call, because Mom is sitting right by the phone.  And she will answer it.  "Hello?"  And it will once again break my heart.  And there's been quite enough of that lately, thanks.

But this morning, when I realized what day it was, I grinned and remembered.  And later today, I'll phone each of my girls, and when they answer I'll say:

"Hurray, hurray!  The First of May!  Outside screwing starts today!"

Comments

[CircusKelli]

That is a GREAT story about your Mom. :) Truly.

I've never heard that phrase before. My Mom just says "MAY DAY!"

[Bucky Four-Eyes]

I'm heartened by the fact that you are carrying on this tradition. It's a better family heirloom than any china could be!

(Although I think my neighbors would be annoyed if I screwed outside.)

[Sharkey]

Really? In Canada??? Seems like it might still be a bit, um . . . chilly on May 1.

This story is too funny. And yet, you also managed to bring a tear to my eye.

(Although I read here from time to time, I think this is my first comment!)

[Laura]

I can't wait till Owen goes to preschool and announces the same thing.... (g)

[William]

Laura beat me to it.

[Nils]

CK: It was probably my Mom's own invention. It's very "her".
Bucky: I DO think of it as an heirloom. I plan to pass it along to my grandchildren.
Sharkey: Welcome. And yes, it's 39 degrees and raining today - pretty cold for doing ANYTHING outside. But in some parts of Canada, May 1st can be warm enough for that. Or ... umm ... so I'm told.
Laura and William: Don't think I won't be proud when he does!

[shari]

Well, outside "screwing" could actually mean just, y'know... screwing. With a screw and a drill gun. From Sears. I mean, that's what I'd tell the "Inappropriate" police, anyway.

It's a rite of Spring, a horizontal thing. Sweetest sort of dance, hidden in among the plants. ~James Taylor, First Day of May

[Undercover Mutha]

We're building a metal house. There's screwing everyday! I would still call mom because I don't have a story as good as this from my childhood.

[Kris T]

Absolutley frickin fabulous story! Your mom sounds like she is/was a funny, smart, slightly naughty broad.

(I mean that term in the most respectful way. It is meant with the highest esteem.)

Broads are fun people

[Robert Paterson]

In England the Phrase was "Ditch F.....g" - I prefer your Mum's version.

My mum is on her way to the same place as yours and it is so sad

By the way Nils, infected by your enthusiasm, I hope to be a grandfather in October
Best wishes Rob

[Nils]

Shari: Love the JT lyric ... never heard that one!

UM: I think "There's screwing every day at my house" would be an excellent tagline.

KrisT: My Mom was a great broad.

Rob: If all anybody is doing is hoping, then October might be a tad ambitious.

[Davey]

I'm told that, back in the day, Maggie Palmer (friend and stage manager extraordinaire) used to announce that over the tannoy at the Stratford Festival each May 1st. Alas, I understand the tradition no longer exists.

[Ern]

I love silly family traditions like that. It's a fitting tribute to your mom (who looks WAY younger than 40 in that picture!) that you're passing it on to your daughters.

[squirl]

Loved the story. Brought some tears to my eyes. Thinking of you.

[operagal]

again a photo with the white jeans - have you no shame Nils????

:)

your Mom rocks - you know somewhere in her head, she's still saying, "hurray, hurray"...

[apathy lounge]

Either I grew up in a country where repression was an Olympic event...or it was just that way in my family. Probably the latter. How lucky you are that your mom was blessed with a sense of humor and felt that part of good parenting was sharing it with children. You're a blessed man, Nils. Maybe it's not appropriate, but creating that kind of tradition with your kids is what keeps your mom's legacy alive. What a gift!

[Lowa]

Oh, I assumed by outside, she meant animals. Ya know. Birdies, chipmunks and the like?? Since it is Spring, that is what happens. I guess I was way off! LOL Guess my mind is not in the gutter as far as I thought:)

I am so sorry that you are all going through this. I went through it with my grandmother and it is SO HARD for them to not know who you are, where they are, and on and on. I fear my MIL is heading down the same road. :(

Glad to hear you are keeping up with the great traditions. Love the photo and also was tickled to see your new header up there with Wee Owen.

I can't remember if I asked already ~ What name have you chosen for yourself? Gramps?? Grandad?? Grandpa??

[Laura]

LOL, look at those two bald heads. Love the header pic!!!

Congrats to Allie!!!!

And to you, too. "Gramps" ;)

[Jud]

Great story. I watched my paternal grandmother struggle with Alzheimers, and now my maternal grandmother is in its clutches. Painful to experience watching someone you love and remember as smart, witty and vibrant slip away from you.

You are not alone, and cheers to you for caring one such a great tradition.

[Lowa]

Hey, are you ok?? Just busy I hope. You are freaking me out a little:(

Just thinking of you! *HUG*

[CircusKelli]

So, my 10 yr old was standing beside me as your blog loaded this morning. Then she read "Hurray! Hurray! Outside scr... Uh, Mom...?"

Me: "Go get your stuff ready for school please..."

[MrsDoF]

It's nearly the First of June, so please let Twitter rest awhile and toddle on over here.
Abandoned blogs bother me ...

[Disgruntled in Brackley]

I was going to say the same thing ... well, a little less politely.
More like "Give the frigging Twitter a break and update your blog already!"
It doesn't have to be some deep thoughts, but I KNOW there's been things interesting enough to talk about here. Like, your adorable, hilarious grandson, for example.

[CircusKelli]

Hmmm... ok... June 3 (almost, as I type this) and no sign of a post from Nils. I guess he's still exhausted from all that outside screwing...

[Salena (The Daily Rant)]

I was directed to your blog by one of my readers. As I was just on PEI for the first time, she thought I'd find you interesting. And I'm glad the first thing I read was the story of your mother. What a wonderful memory.

What's this Twitter thing everyone is talking about? Do you have another blog I should be checking??