(Originally posted February 11, 2018)
Even though it’s early February, my garden thinks it is spring. Bees are humming. Daffodils are blooming. And the weeds are spreading
I enjoy spending time in my garden – as previous posts have purported. As a kid, I hated weeding, but as an adult, it’s my chance to get away from the computer and phone and head outside soaking up the sun and enjoying the peace and quiet.
As I surveyed our lawn, I noticed the grassy areas had been overtaken by my favorite childhood weed – the dandelion. I thought back to the thrill of finding the tall-stemmed puff balls at the end of each plant. I’d grab a handful. Close my eyes. Make a wish. Take a deep breath and blow. Then I’d watch all my wishes float across the yard.
My dad would scold me and at the time, I had no idea why he didn’t see the fun in my endeavors. Little did I realize my flurry of wishes just sent seeds of destruction throughout the entire block.
The other day, I devoted the better part of the afternoon to deal with the dandelions. Digging up plants, I cradled the faded blooms in my hands trying to get them in the trash before the wind caught them. But, alas some escaped drifting over to the neighbors.’ On closer inspection, I noticed their lawns were also filled with mounds of maturing plants waiting to release their puffy seeds into the universe. Then I didn’t feel as bad.
By the end of the day, I’d only covered a small part of the yard. And even though I dug up and tossed what seemed like hundreds of plants, hundreds more sat waiting for me. Daring me to get to them before they released their dainty wishes to havoc on the rest of the block.
So, here’s to the mighty dandelion, a little plant causing such a mixed reaction. Wish spreader for children. Weed spreader for adults.
I think I’ll focus on the child-like wonder of it all. After all, everyone could use a few more wishes.