May
The most generous month in the calendar and the one that goes fastest. May is warm without being hot, green without being heavy, and light until nearly nine. Almost nothing is required of you and almost everything is possible, which is a combination the rest of the year never quite repeats.
Days 121–151 · Sunset near 8:16
In Season
What the month is made ofAt the market
Strawberries at the very end, peas, spring onions, and herbs by the armful. The first month the market is worth going to for pleasure rather than duty.
The light
Eight o'clock is still bright. The evening effectively doubles, and everyone in the country quietly makes more plans than they can keep.
The porch
Porch season opens. The furniture comes out, gets rained on once, and stays out until October.
The rituals
Mother's Day, graduations, Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer — the first long weekend anyone actually leaves town for.
What to Wear Now
The month of no coat at allA shirt, alone
The first days of wearing one layer. Enjoy them; June is humid.
Something for 6 p.m.
May evenings cool off fast. A light knit by the door covers it.
Sunglasses, found
They have been in a drawer since September. Find them now.
The May List
Four things worth owning this monthPorch chairs that last
They live outside for six months. Buy for weather, not for the photo.
See it →A lightweight knit
The single most useful garment between April and October.
See it →A watering can
Metal, two gallons, no plastic spout to snap off in July.
See it →Good sunglasses
Six months of daily use. This is not the place to save forty dollars.
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