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!"
That is a GREAT story about your Mom. :) Truly.
I've never heard that phrase before. My Mom just says "MAY DAY!"
Posted by: CircusKelli | May 01, 2008 at 10:52 AM
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.)
Posted by: Bucky Four-Eyes | May 01, 2008 at 11:10 AM
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!)
Posted by: Sharkey | May 01, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I can't wait till Owen goes to preschool and announces the same thing.... (g)
Posted by: Laura | May 01, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Laura beat me to it.
Posted by: William | May 01, 2008 at 11:51 AM
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!
Posted by: Nils | May 01, 2008 at 12:11 PM
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
Posted by: shari | May 01, 2008 at 12:38 PM
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.
Posted by: Undercover Mutha | May 01, 2008 at 01:34 PM
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
Posted by: Kris T | May 01, 2008 at 02:04 PM
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
Posted by: Rob Paterson | May 01, 2008 at 02:39 PM
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.
Posted by: Nils | May 01, 2008 at 03:57 PM
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.
Posted by: Davey | May 02, 2008 at 08:21 AM
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.
Posted by: Ern | May 03, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Loved the story. Brought some tears to my eyes. Thinking of you.
Posted by: squirl | May 04, 2008 at 03:25 PM
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"...
Posted by: operagal | May 04, 2008 at 08:59 PM
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!
Posted by: apathy lounge | May 04, 2008 at 10:17 PM
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??
Posted by: Lowa | May 09, 2008 at 02:31 AM
LOL, look at those two bald heads. Love the header pic!!!
Congrats to Allie!!!!
And to you, too. "Gramps" ;)
Posted by: Laura | May 10, 2008 at 11:06 PM
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.
Posted by: Jud | May 13, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Hey, are you ok?? Just busy I hope. You are freaking me out a little:(
Just thinking of you! *HUG*
Posted by: Lowa | May 29, 2008 at 12:43 PM
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..."
Posted by: CircusKelli | May 29, 2008 at 02:34 PM
It's nearly the First of June, so please let Twitter rest awhile and toddle on over here.
Abandoned blogs bother me ...
Posted by: MrsDoF | May 31, 2008 at 08:33 PM
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.
Posted by: Disgruntled in Brackley | June 02, 2008 at 12:11 PM
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...
Posted by: CircusKelli | June 02, 2008 at 11:30 PM
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??
Posted by: Salena (The Daily Rant) | June 03, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I believe it's spring in the arctic PEI (i.e. it's finally golf season).
Nils was last seen twittering over to the golf course. We should see him again for about five days in July.
Posted by: Evil Thinker | June 03, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Are we going to post today? :) It's June already, hurray, hurray!
And why did you delete my last comment? I merely mentioned your affinity for twittering around the golf course. geeze.
finickybloggerpfft.
Posted by: E.T. | June 04, 2008 at 09:32 AM
OH! Well 'cuse me.
After reading your email, I came running over to look for the arrows.
Now, that doesn't look much like a decent arrow, Nils. It's very hard to see! Who notices a little squiggle like that? A half-assed arrow if I ever saw one. Frankly, I don't even know how YOU can see it. (g)
A decent arrow would show up in bold with a larger font and would look similar to this: >.
Or at least offer us an option!
Thank you very much.
Posted by: ET's blogger service message | June 05, 2008 at 12:28 PM
well i'll be damned. In the previous comment, the arrow was cut off! In the preview, it showed up just fine.
It should have had several dashes: ------->
Posted by: testing | June 05, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Ok, that's much better.
And you should really get off the golf course for a change and write something decent.
Posted by: Would you like us to give you a meme? | June 05, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Hell, you could even write something INDECENT! We'd read it. We're like that, ya know.
Posted by: CircusKelli | June 05, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Owen is absolutely adorable! :) It is quite obvious to the new reader or very old friend that his grampa cherishes him and every moment shared with him even moreso.
Lucky guy! (Both, actually)
Posted by: ^beloved^ | June 05, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I miss you.Would love to read more love story about your folks. Again,I miss you.
Posted by: Melissa | June 07, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Helllloooooooo? Anybody there? Not on Twitter, not here ... not fair!
Posted by: platypus | June 09, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Come on Nils. Your readers are waiting impatiently.
Posted by: bev | June 09, 2008 at 02:58 PM
I have un-lurked to say: Where the hell are you? Twitter my ass. Do you know how hard it is to maintain a good crush with an absentee crushee?
Posted by: Deneen | June 11, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Hey, Nils, Happy Father's Day!
Posted by: squirl | June 15, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I thought I wished a Happy Father's day. hmmm, guess I must need to do some drugs or something...
Posted by: squirl | June 17, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Ummmmm...Nils??
I am worried. Please set my mind at ease:)
Posted by: Lowa | June 28, 2008 at 02:21 AM
TWO MONTHS!
Today is the First of July!
I hope all your family is as well as can be expected.
Posted by: MrsDoF | July 01, 2008 at 07:05 PM
I thought I said something on here...maybe not. Maybe you have not published it yet. I can't remember how your's is set up.
PLEASE be OK. I am totally worrying:( I am scared there have been more deaths in your family or something:(
Praying for you!
Posted by: Lowa | July 02, 2008 at 08:54 PM
I just googled the phrase "Hurray hurray, 1st of May" and landed here. My wife has a friend whose birthday is on May 1st. She recited the verse to her friend (whom had never heard it) and the friend confided that she and her husband love the, eh' hem, outdoor drilling act... My wife asked me to research a greeting card with the verse. So far, no luck, but I loved your blog. Celebrate your mom's memory and the memories you make with your children and grandchildren.
Russ
Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA
Posted by: Russ | April 10, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Today is the First of May, 2009.
Although I come back sometimes to re-read blog posts, I do miss new entrys.
Plus a picture now and then of grandbaby Owen would be wonderful.
Posted by: MrsDoF | May 02, 2009 at 12:18 AM
i hear a slightly difrent version of that every mayday "hurray hurray its the first of may outdoor f*cking starts today!" we shout it all day long on mayday around here
Posted by: elfgirl55 | May 01, 2010 at 03:53 AM
I am reminded of the children's story I'll Love You Forever.
It is your turn to call Mom and remind her what day it is with "Hurray. Hurray! The First of May! Outside screwing starts today!".
"I'll love you forever. I'll love you for always. And always, forever. My baby you'll be."
Posted by: Dave | April 24, 2011 at 10:55 AM
My parents alway said that on May First--- a tradition that my sister and I still carry on...
Even before I read this article I call her and said Hooray Hooray the First of May---and she answered "Outdoor screwing starts today."
Thought we were the only ones until I googled it.
Posted by: Momster | May 01, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Your story in uncanningly similar to mine. My mother too uttered the same phrase on May 1. Having been born and raised in NJ she, however, used the less politically correct "F" word. But to have known my mother was to love her. A classy dame in her own right. Although mom has been gone since 1986 I still can't help but think of my mom on this day. THanks for your post.
Posted by: VA in PA | May 01, 2012 at 07:40 PM