LJ Idol Season 7 Week 17 - Shakin' Hands with the Clock

[walkertxkitty]

o/` "Oh, I hear a voice
That says I'm running behind
Better pick up my pace
It's a race and there ain't no room for someone in second placeo/`

-- "I'm in a Hurry (and Don't Know Why)" performed by Alabama

Comments

[beldar]

Interesting tale, especially at the end. I suspect that if the Man-eating Plant of Madagascar were real, Dee would want one. =) (or already own it)

And I also love the Alabama song.

[walkertxkitty]

While botany is not one of his specific specialties (as with the mycology), he has studied plants and their effects in the course of his work. The man has a splendid array of succulents, carnivorous plants, and other nasties in his room. No one, not even the cats will bother them.

[torakiyoshi]

Nettles. Hmph. Those became my enemy when I first explored the wilds of Washington's west side. In the backlands behind the summer camp where I worked, I ran through a tall patch of stinging nettles, wearing shorts. I would be perfectly happy if I never saw another nettle for the rest of my life.

[walkertxkitty]

The nettles, if treated properly, make an excellent and nutritious soup full of trace minerals and vitamins including C. If stumbled upon unprepared, they're a nasty bit of work. Harvesting and cleaning them for cooking requires utmost care, but it's still worth it.

Too bad I didn't find any.

[walkertxkitty]

Sometimes, regretfully, you do have to destroy them. If they're not bothering anyone I tend to leave them there as the deer and bears really like them.

I think we have several stinging tree species but I wouldn't know their names. I do know we have plenty of Spanish bayonet and that stuff is nasty. It was used in the redoubts around the fort at St. Augustine to repel invaders and when we were clearing land, it was a spine from one of those which caused the infection I got which turned into MRSA.

[ecosopher]

This was a great read. You found a lot of wild plants! I can identify with Diagenou's glee at all the plants (M just rolls his eyes and smiles indulgently when it comes to me and my plants!). Hope you find some more edible greens on your next expedition!

I also thought it was interesting how you got into this... I realy identified with that. I found it so frustrating when I had my first child that I couldn't get out into the garden whenever I wanted and that I had to really slow down to be able to pace myself in taking care of him. And as a result, I've become a better gardener, because instead of rushing around the garden, I've had to sit and observe a lot more - better for my children, and for the garden, and for me. I don't get 'as much' done, but it doesn't matter. Yay for a positive out of a negative, right?

[walkertxkitty]

Exactly. Right now, I'm not getting much done in the garden --- partially because I cannot and partially because it's really good for Dee's mental health to be able to do even a small bit of work which contributes to the household.

I've always liked observing nature but I didn't really care for Florida much when I got here so I was lax in learning about my new home. Now I'm trying to catch up by just watching and documenting and learning.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, I really appreciate it!

[myrna_bird]

Very interesting. I have been known to allow a thistle or two remain in my gardens after weeding because after all, Pooh's pal, Eeyore likes his yummy thistles.

[walkertxkitty]

I am hoping that, by potting it, the thistle will remain out of the garden. They're beautiful plants to have around and that defensive reflex is really interesting to observe but...the thorns on a full grown one are awful if you get stuck.

Still, there are plenty out there in the swamp and at roadside so I don't think my deer friends will go hungry.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, I greatly appreciate it!