By Kelly Maue

It feels like we are zooming through the year at lightning speed. With May, the school year is winding down, students are graduating, and summer fun, like baseball, is already in full swing.

May starts with mint juleps, big hats, and the Kentucky Derby. The trifecta of May holidays follows closely behind: Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Mother’s Day (May 12), and Memorial Day (May 31). Remember to have a little fun on Cinco de Mayo, thank Mom on Mother’s Day, and finally, honor those true American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day Weekend. 

May is jam-packed with other observances worth mentioning. Although many are profound and meaningful, others are not. Let’s take a quick break from the serious stuff.

May 1 is all about the bicycle. I’ve found it called Learn to Ride a Bike Day and Ride your Bike to School / Work Day. So, dust off the seat, pump up those tires, and take a spin at the very least.

May 2 is Play Your Ukulele Day. I’d love to hear that happy sound as my background music for a day.

May 3 is called Lumpy Rug Day. Your guess is as good as mine. Do you check for tripping hazards during spring cleaning? Or is it an idiom? It could be a day to look at a problem you’ve ignored.

May 4 is undeniably Star Wars Day. Such an iconic movie series is worthy of its day. May the 4th be with you.

May 5 is World Laughter Day. Whether you celebrate this observance or Cinco de Mayo, it’s a fun day.

May 6 is equal parts No Diet Day and No Homework Day. Please participate accordingly.

May 7 is No Pants Day. Let’s hope it means you wear pants alternatives, like shorts.

May 8 is Give Someone a Cupcake Day. What a glorious day. 

May 9 is known as Lost Sock Memorial Day. (But seriously, where do they go?)

May 10 is Clean Up Your Room Day. We may find those lost socks.

May 11 is Eat What You Want Day – all bets are off. And diets.

May 12 is Limerick Day. 
There once was a day for the limerick
And the only rhyme match is pimaric 
A word that’s defined
As an acid you’ll find
In pine trees – it’s soluble in acetone.
(As I mentioned, there is only one rhyme for limerick)

May 13 is Leprechaun Day. Limerick Day and Leprechaun Day appear to be stubborn holdovers since March.

May 14 is Dance Like a Chicken Day. Go ahead, look it up.

May 15 is Bring Flowers to Someone Day, which is almost as good as Give Someone a Cupcake Day.

May 16 is a tie. I like both Mimosa Day and Ride a Unicycle Day, but pick one or the other.

May 17 is National Mushroom Hunting Day. During April and May, you can find the coveted morel mushroom in the Midwest.

May 18 is No Dirty Dishes Day, which means no cooking is allowed on this day.

May 19 is Plant Something Day. Whether you’re planting indoor herbs, a flowerpot for your porch, or a tree in your yard, go and get your hands dirty.

May 20 is National Rescue Dog Day. We can all appreciate that!

May 21 is National Talk Like Yoda Day. Or rather, Talk Like Yoda Day It Is.

May 22 is National Solitaire Day. Get in the zone on your phone or go old school with a deck of cards.

May 23 is Lucky Penny Day. Heads or tails, I hope it brings good luck to all. 

May 24 is International Tiara Day, and perhaps the only day of the year you can wear one.

May 25 is both National Tap Dance Day and National Wine Day. I know which one I’ll celebrate.

May 26 is National Paper Airplane Day for simple fun that always stays in style.

May 27 is National Grape Popsicle Day. Cherry, Creamsicle, and blueberry popsicles also have their own days!

May 28 is Hamburger Day. Nuff said.

May 29 is National Paperclip Day. Well, it is an underappreciated office supply.

May 30 is International Hug Your Cat Day. It’s also National Water a Flower Day if you’re not a cat person.

May 31 is National Smile Day – and it’s easy to participate.