The first of day of May, has meant a variety of things over the years in the western world, and is commonly thought of these days as worker rights day, although it gained some infamy in 2003, when on May 1, Bush announced that "major combat operations in Iraq had ended."

I prefer to think of May 1 in terms of the old pagan celebration of new life and the fertility of the earth. ("At this time of the year, the Earth softens under the caress of the sun and all the world is new.") Such celebrations include vestiges of a Druidic worldview, as well as Celtic customs, with perhaps some cross-fertilization from the ancient Roman Floralia, which was three days of licentiousness beginning April 28th and cresting on May 1st.

The good news hasn't stopped on the Iowa march to support Barack Obama.

Iowa held district conventions on Saturday, the next step along the line from precinct caucuses to the state Democratic convention in June. Another delegate was added to Obama's total of committed delegates fron one congressional district.

The March 15 county conventions had flipped 9 delegates to Obama, adding to  the totals of January's precinct caucuses.

When I answered the phone this afternoon, a genial voice asked for my husband. I inquired who was calling, and was told it was a call from the Democrats. So, I went down to my husband’s office and told him he had a phone call, and went back to my own office.
Pretty soon my hubby came up and asked if I wanted to support Al Franken. Well, sure, I probably do. So Hubby, knowing my predilections for supporting Dems, indicated that I should take the call.
As you may know, Al Franken is running for the U.S. senate in Minnesota.

You are tired already of diaries about the Iowa factor, I know. This one is not about Iowa, per se, but about assessing a candidate.

This morning, 20 hours before the mass-exodus from Iowa, I went to one last candidate rally. I already knew who I would support (some of us in Iowa can make up our minds!)

And I had my choice confirmed.