Sabine County Reporter Don’t call the Grammar Police, or the editor, bot May Day and Mayday are correct, for completely different reasons. Mayday, the phonetic equivalent of “M’aidez”, which is French for “help me”, came into use in 1923 when air traffic between Great Britain and France was heavy enough, and problematic enough that a distress signal simple enough to be understood by everyone was needed. S.O.S., the Morse Code equivalent of “Save me, for without your assistance, I’m toast”, had been in use since, well, since the Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail came up with the Morse Code in 1838. S.O.S. was a bit difficult to scream into a radio while in a panic, so Mayday was brought into play as a more understandable cry for help.

What does this have to do with the month of May? Absolutely nothing, but now you’ve learned something new.

May Day…May 1, is a Celtic astronomical holiday which falls equally between the March equinox and the June solstice, originally known as “Belthane” , a celebration of Spring marked by dancing, bonfires, and yellow flowers. Both versions have their place, as do the rest of the days of May, such as…

May 1 School Principals Day-yes, it’s on a Sunday. They will still be the Principal tomorrow, celebrate then

May 2 Melanoma Monday- marks the beginning of Melanoma Awareness Month, bringing awareness to the deadliest form of skin cancer. Take the time to get that mole checked.

May 3 National Teacher Appreciation Day-at least the teachers managed to get their day placed during the work week. Tell a Teacher thank you.

May 4 National Skilled Trades Day-we cannot do without the skilled trades. Carpenters, mechanics, plumbers, welders, electricians, the list goes on and on. We have to have them, and there will always be a shortage. More fun that working in a stuffy office, no tie required.

May 5 Cinco de Mayo everyone knows that one, did you know it is also National Day of Prayer, and National Day of Reason. Need a reason to pray? It’s also Childhood Stroke Awareness Day

May 6 Nurses Day, and Military Spouse Appreciation Day-both are vitally necessary, and should be appreciated every day

May 7 World Naked Gardening Day-I believe I’ll leave this one alone

May 8 Mothers Day-You probable needed no reminder about this. At least, I hope you remembered.

May 9 Alphabet Magnet Day-Has there ever been a more useful, under utilized childrens/adult toy made? Stick them on the fridge. Tell Mom we’re out of milk. Better still, Tell Mom you love her.

May 10 Clean Your Room Day-One more way to tell Mom you care. Don’t make her raise her voice…again.

May 11 School Nurse Day- Invisible, until you need them. No school should be without one.

May 12 International Nurses Day- Wherever you may be, at school, at work, a corner clinic, or the finest hospital, a Nurse is never far away. A trained professional care-giver, the link between your problem and the Doctor that can help. We need more nurses.

May 13 Blame Someone Else Day-always held on the 1st Friday the 13th of the year, it’s kind of like a low level get out of jail free card. You may blame someone else, the fault stays with you. Deal with it.

May 14 National Chicken Dance Day- if you do nothing else today, teach a kid, or group of kids, the Chicken Dance. Be young once more.

May 15 Peace Officer Memorial Day- Take a moment to imagine a world without any kind of Law Enforcement. We do not want that world. Now, take a moment to remember those who have died or been injured making the world a safer place.

May 16 National BBQ Day- fire up the pit, throw on some ribs and chicken. Don’t forget to call me!

May 17 World Hypertension Day-now that we have over indulged in BBQ, go find a nurse to check your blood pressure. Too much BBQ can lead to hypertension, which is not a good thing. Get it checked!

May 18 Emergency Medical Services Daywhether it’s an ambulance, or a volunteer Firefighter with medical training, when you call, they answer, often making the difference between life and death. Say thank you.

May 19 National Scooter Day- the Scooter…recently replaced by the Hover board, a prime contributor to the need for Emergency Medical Services.

May 20 National Rescue Dog Day-we have professionals to rescue us in time of need, we also have the power to rescue an abandoned dog in their time of need. Purebred, over priced dogs are highly over rated. Visit your local animal shelter, give a stray the opportunity to pick YOU.

May 21 International Learn To Swim Day-school’s out, summer is here…it’s a great time for swimming lessons.

May 22 International Being You Day- forget about being someone else, be yourself.

May 23 National Best Friend-In-Law Day- did you meet your new best friend as the result of a marriage? You have a best friend-in -law. The best part of that? You get to keep them in case of divorce.

May 24 Morse Code Dayplease return to the top of the page, begin reading this article from the beginning.

May 25 Geek Pride Daysooner or later, we will all need a Geek. Be proud of being the smart kid in class.

May 26 National Paper Airplane Day-celebrate the lost art of making paper airplanes. In a society trying to go paperless, this day may fade away.

May 27 Joe Cool Day-if you don’t know Snoopy, why? Today is a great day to get acquainted.

May 28 National Brisket Day- show of hands…who could go for a sourdough bun, toasted, of course, with sliced brisket, purple onion, some pickles, a little sauce on the side, sweet tea…

May 29 Put A Pillow On Your Fridge Day- this is a very interesting, though slightly weird, day with origins back to the early 1900’s. Curious? Google has the cure.

May 30 Memorial Day-for over a century, known as Decoration Day, changed to Memorial Day in the 1880s, a day to mourn and remember members of the military who have died in service to the United States. Remember. Never Forget.

May 31 Save Your Hearing Day- you are never too young, or too old, to take the time for hearing protection. Loud music, firearms, even mowing the grass…it all contributes to hearing loss. The day you realize that the ringing in your ears is not going away will be the day you wish you had worn ear protection. Too late.

May is also home to Hurricane Preparedness Week (1-7), Childrens Book Week (2-8), National Public Gardens Week (6-15), National Bike To Work Week (16-22), and National Backyard Games Week (22-28). And just think, we haven’t even reached the fun days of Summer. Wait till next month.