In past times, as nature awakened from its winter slumber with redolent clouds of apple blossoms and carpets of buttercups dappling the countryside, the arrival of spring was marked by a rich array of sentimental rituals and poetical customs that reveled in the bounty of the earth. Fresh blooms were gathered to decorate homes and share with neighbors, and maypoles were bedecked with flowers and green boughs, around which young people danced in joyous celebration. Here we offer an array of ideas to revive these pastoral fêtes.
