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The creek
which cut across the corner of my childhood farm was an enchanting place
to play. In early summer, touch-me-nots sprang up along its banks. The
watery stems of the wildflowers grew so rapidly that in no time at all
they were three feet high, festooned with orange trumpets. As you can
see in the watercolor painting, the spotted trumpets, an inch long, dangle
from thread-like stems.
Equalling the wonder of how such
exquisitely formed trumpets can unfold from the end of a thread...is the
wonder of how delicate wildflowers can activate such powerful "canons." Triggered by the slightest touch, the narrow strips forming the seed pod
roll up with lightning speed, expelling seeds like bullets!!
Blooming in late summer, the
orange wildflowers depicted in the watercolor painting provide a source
of "fuel" for hummingbirds migrating southward.
Jewelweed provides a natural relief for a rash from poison ivy, poison oak, or stinging nettle. Simply slice the stem, then rub its juicy inside on exposed parts. It usually prevents breakout in most people.
For later use: Brew chopped jewelweed in boiling water until you get a dark orange liquid. Strain the liquid and pour into ice cube trays. You will be amazed with its healing properties. It will keep in freezer up to a year.
One summer, the halfway point
of my morning walks was a tiny creek along whose banks grew touch-me-nots,
and....as I did when a child....I triggered the seed pods!
Although you can't explode the
seed pods in the watercolor painting, I hope their graceful forms will
enhance some nook in your home. |
