Wednesday, May 20, 2009

How Dandy

I know many folks do not like Dandelions.

They are a pain.
They are a weed.
They are... unwanted.

I feel lucky to live in an area where it doesn't matter if Dandelions grow all over the yard or around the edge of the driveway (although my allergies might beg to differ with me). And I think Dandelions are quite beautiful.

Each living thing serves a purpose on this planet, even if it may seem to be an inconvenience or a nuisance. And even the most ordinary or undesirable thing has its own special beauty - if we can just open our eyes to it.












Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), ready to begin the cycle again


"The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration."
-Claude Monet

12 comments:

Shelley said...

Well Heather - if you put it (and photograph it) that way - then they are beautiful!! :-)

Lona said...

I think they are a pretty yellow and the fluffy seed heads look so pretty in your picture. I like them but not in my yard I guess. Beautiful photos.

Meg said...

I am so glad that you like dandelions. I love them and I can't understand why more peole don't just embrace the things. I'm telling you, my old neighbor used to do the Chemlawn thing...and in August when it dries up, her yard looked like hell--all brown and dead. My yard, on the other hand was not a monoculture and it looked green and alive. Because it was. With all the "weeds." (Not to be on a soapbox or anything! ha ha.) Thanks for celebrating the underdog with your beautiful photographs. I especially like the first b&w. It is a totally unique take and I bet you no one would guess it to be a lowly little dandelion : )

And your grass photos--oy! You're killing me with the beauty here!

Kelly said...

...very nice post. I have started "The Dandelion Club" in my neighborhood. It's for suburbanites strong enough to resist the peer pressure to treat lawns with chemicals. Our motto, "We love out dandelions. Please don't ask us to kill them." I'll add you to the membership. We are now 7 strong!!

Kelly said...

p.s. The last two photos are exquisite. :-)

Monika said...

I've never been a fan of the term "weed". That photo with the blues and purples in the background is absolutely gorgeous!

Andy said...

I have plenty of those pretty yellow flowers in my yard, they grow very vigorously LOL

NW Nature Nut said...

Those last two photos are excellent! Great perspectives!

Heather said...

Shelley - Hmmm... glad I could be so convincing! ;)

Lona - Yes, I know they are hard to appreciate in a well-kept lawn. I'm glad you liked the pictures, though.

Meg - Yes, my parents have always had their lawn treated too, and I really dislike it, but to each their own (sorry Dad, if you're reading this!). I'm not sure I could ever live in a proper neighborhood again b/c my lawn would not be up to everyone else's standards. Three cheers for the dandelion!

Kelly - I'm proud to be an honorary member of your club, and kudos to all of you for standing up against what can be a very touchy subject amongst neighbors! You should include Meg in the club too! There are tree huggers... why can't there by dandelion huggers?! (glad you liked the photos, too)

Andy - They don't give up easily, do they! Tough little buggers... another reason I like them!

Michele - Thank you so much!

Gabrielle said...

And they are delicious! I have heard that the French think we're crazy for (among other things) poisoning off this bounty we have in our yards.

However, I must admit some sinking feeling when I see dandelions and other non-native plants (notice I didn't say weeds!) growing in "pristine" wilderness areas while the native plants and the creatures that depend on them are slowly disappearing.

But in any case I totally support the idea of chemical-free lawns and gardens.

Rajesh said...

Very beautiful snaps.

Heather said...

Gabrielle - Hello, and thanks for stopping by. Yes, I know the French think us crazy for many things. I have not yet eaten dandelions, but I would certainly try them.

Rajesh - Thank you for your comment and for stopping by!