The reason I have compared myself to a dandelion, is because even though a dandelion isn't beautiful or gorgeous (by flower standards) there is hidden potential in a dandelion...it might not be straight forward and obvious. It's more subtle and evasive. Evasive being the key word, here. Sometimes I am more hard on myself then I should be...comparing my weaknesses to others strengths. If you were to put a dandelion next a rose, the rose would outshine every time. Yet there are hidden 'talents' in a dandelion. It isn't completely a Noxious weed. In reality there are many uses for the 'lowly' dandelion.
Starting as a child I was fascinated and loved the dandelion. Making dandelion bracelets, necklaces, crowns, etc. I also remember rubbing a dandelion on your cheek, and if you could see the yellow that means you liked butter. Though I think the 'ritual' is more commonly known that if you smell and dandelion, and your nose turns yellow, someone loves you. I have no idea where the butter theory came from.
Then, once the dandelion has gone to seed, and become a fluff, there is joy and excitement in blowing as hard as our little lungs can, making a wish as we blow. Hoping that it will come true, if we are able to blow each thistle off the stem.
Well, I decided to look for other uses for the dandelion, besides the obvious favorites of making jewelry, wishes and learning if you like butter.
These are just a few things I found out:
Bees favor Dandelion. (and Bees are pretty smart)
There is a lot of vitamin A & C in Dandelions (also potassium and minerals)
How about Dandelion Tea or Dandelioin-ade? (hhmm...we shall see.)
Here is an interesting site I came upon: http://www.dandeliontea.org/
Dandelion-Ade
'Dandelion-Ade is very refreshing, iced, on a hot spring day after a good workout under the sun. If you or any of the children get too much sun on your face or arms cold dandelion tea is very cool and healing when splashed onto the skin. Send out the children to gather as many unsprayed, bright, new Dandelion faces (blooms), that they can gather in their skirts or baskets. Meanwhile, get a large big pot of water boiling and have a large bowl ready. Pick and wash through the dandelion faces for grass, straw or any stray bugs. Place the Dandelion faces into the bowl and stand back as you pour the boiling water over them. Cover, let sit 15 minutes. Remove cover and let dandelion faces remain infused while you let mixture cool. Strain the brew into a pitcher. Add ice, honey or sugar and lemon to taste.'~Trendle Ellwood
hhmmm..maybe I have more potential then I thought.
4 comments:
I'd rather be a dandelion than a rose; it's more manly. And if I really had the choice, I rather be a lion. Drop the Dande--I just want the lion.
Ok, so what's up with the trying to convince yourself you have potential? Or was it just something that snowballed once you started talking about flowers? Remember what I've been telling you, you're Mrs. talented multitasker. It was funny, I decided to use your example of getting flowers from Jon to let my hubby know subtly how much I LOVE flowers. So, I told him I love tulips. And roses. But I really love tulips. Then, later that day, he gets home and says, "Did you say your favorite flower was a carnation or a tulip?" Hello! I never even brought up carnations. (Aren't they for 'friend only', mother-in-laws or dead people?)Humph.
That is a funny story. Ya...you don't get carnations for your spouse, unless they have gone on to greener pastures. I am guessing you would rather some pretty wild flowers gathered along the road, then carnations. hehee
For more information about Dandelion Tea please visit www.dandeliontea.org. Thanks!
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