For-evergreen

A Priest, A Prisoner and A Prayer

2010-02-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

Are the Romans responsible for the romance in St. Valentine’s Day? Quite possibly so ~ but in a way that does not reflect our usual romantic thoughts and traditions of kisses, candy and flower. While the Romans can be credited with contributing to our ideas of romance with the antics of the cherubic Cupid, the actual legend of St. Valentine involves a priest, a prison cell and a prayer.

The origin of St. Valentine’s Day is part of Roman history and legend. It begins in the third century under the reign of Claudius II, aka Claudius the Cruel because of his oppressive rule. He seems to have been a joyless personality who banned engagements and marriages in order to strengthen and enlarge his army. He ordered all Romans to worship his chosen gods and decreed death to anyone who associated with the Christians.

Valeninus, a priest, however, quietly defied the emperor. He continued to practice his Christian beliefs and to marry couples in secret. Eventually, his activities were discovered, and he was sentenced to death.

During his imprisonment, the jailer noticed that Valentinus was an educated man. He wanted his daughter who had been blind from birth to benefit from Valentinus’ knowledge and experience of the world. During the last few weeks of his life, the young girl, Julia, visited Valentinus daily to learn such practical matters as arithmetic and language along with his deep faith in God.

One day, Julia told Valentinus she prayed daily that she might regain her sight so she could see the world he had described to her. As they prayed together, a brilliant light surrounded them in the stark prison cell. The miracle restored her sight!

On the eve of his death, Valentinus composed a special message to Julia thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. He encouraged her to maintain her faith in God. He signed his note, “From your Valentine.”

Valentinus’ death sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 AD. As a memorial to her friend, Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. In 496, Pope Gelasius declared the day of Valentinus’ death St. Valentine’s Day. It has been honored ever since with the exchange of flowers, gifts and messages of love.

The Flower of Love

2010-02-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

Although the rose did not play a specific role in the legend of Saint Valentine, it is the traditional flower of Valentine’s Day. It quite possibly came from Roman traditions, like the extravagant use during the Roman Empire as part of celebrations and festivities. One legendary rumor was that Nero decorated a banquet hall with over one million rose blossoms for a celebration.

There are almost as many legends and stories about the origin of the rose as there are petals on the flower. Each claims to be the one true version. The rose was so popular in Roman and Greek mythology that there are many conflicting stories about which god or goddess created the flower and why. Each vies for the special honor. Apollo, Venus, Diana, Cupid, Bacchus, Flora, and others all claim the fame and distinction of creating the beloved rose.

One myth claims the rose was created by the gods who were so awed by the beauty of Venus that they created a flower in her honor to equal her beauty. Others myths claim roses sprang from the tears Venus shed over the slain Adonis. Originally their flowers were pure white like her tears, but changed to red when she pricked her skin as she tried to help him. Another claims the impish Cupid was carrying a vase of nectar to the gods on Mount Olympus. In his haste, he stumbled and splashed the nectar on the earth, which immediately blossomed into roses.

Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers, bestowed the title of “Queen of all Flowers” on the rose. Through the ages, the rose has been honored in art, song and verse from the poetry of Shakespeare and Burns to the simple nursery rhymes of our childhood like “Ring around the Rosie.

American and English gardeners have always had an affair of the heart with roses, the national floral emblem of both countries. However, throughout Europe, the rose is regarded as an evil omen or even a premonition of death by the superstitious. But, on Valentine’s Day, we remember its romantic meanings and messages of love as well as its symbolism of beauty, peace, celebration and good luck.

O, my love’s like a red, red rose,
That’s newly spring in June;
O, my love’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.
- Burns

A Nest of Best Wishes

2009-12-30T17:41:00.001-08:00

A fine, feathered nest created by an anonymous bird artist decorates our Christmas tree this season. I found this architectural marvel last summer in the cemetery where my grandparents are buried. It is an eclectic combination of organic recycled materials with a touch of whimsy. The bird that created this home had an eye for design and flair as well as function.

Our tree is a perfectly shaped pine – except for a gaping hole on one side. That flaw turned out to be the perfect place to nestle this piece of art, a woven mass of twigs, fibers of straw and grass with feathers and fluff for comfort and colorful tatters of cloth for a designer touch.

A bird’s nest in your Christmas tree is a rare find unless your tree is the artificial species and you placed the nest there instead of a bird. But if your tree is live, cut from a field or tree farm, finding a real nest created by a real bird is a symbol of the best Christmas luck according to ancient legends. Shaped in the form of a wreath or circle, a nest can also symbolize God’s eternal love.

I added three craft eggs spray-painted gold to the nest and a bright red cardinal ornament to watch over them. Following tradition, the eggs represent my wishes for my family in the coming year: health, wealth and happiness.

Happy New Year!

Our Family Tree

2009-12-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

My husband and I cut our family Christmas tree yesterday at a nearby tree farm. For every tree they cut, they plant a new one to replace it.

The tree is well-formed and balanced – except for a gaping hole on one side. Not a problem - that’s the perfect spot for the bird’s nest I found in the summer – a sign of good luck for the tree. Three craft eggs sprayed gold represent the health, wealth and happiness I wish for my family in the coming year.

Our tree is a collage of ornaments that tell our family’s story – our “family tree” of history and memories. Each ornament represents an event or interest of a family member. The simple gold bells and blue glass balls remind me of those early marriage Christmases when we cut a cedar from the farm and decorated it with popcorn and cranberry garlands.

Felt snowmen and small Santas and elves crafted from yarn and felt snowmen were the first ornaments my sons knew. They were safe for small hands to decorate and rearrange the tree as they learned the traditions of the season.

Clothespin reindeer peek out from the branches – mementoes of our sons’ grade school crafts. Paper stars, fragile with age, hang near the top. (I need to get them laminated to preserve them.) Soccer and golf ornaments mark their sports interests.

Ornaments from our travels bring back memories of our adventures and places we’ve visited. Mini stockings celebrate our alma maters.

Near the top are red heart ornaments, one for each member of the family. Also close to the top hang dog tags from our beloved pets who shared many Christmases with us.

Eclectic and unique, our family tree is a conversation starter each year as we gather to share the memories of the past while making new ones for the future.

A Sensory, Sensual Season

2009-11-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

Harvest - the season of the year when the circle and cycle of life become complete ~ from seed to seed, from beginning to end to beginning again in an ongoing, ever-growing expression of life.

Harvest is a rich, sensual experience that pleasures all our senses:
• Vision – colors of the trees like a Las Vegas extravaganza of colors with each specie competing to outdo and out-show the others.
• Hearing – the rattle of crisp leaves in the trees; the crunch of leaves as we tread on them reducing them to dust and mulch.
• Touch – the textures of seed pods from smooth pecans to jagged pinecones and gnarly
• Smell - the crisp, brisk air of autumn – a cleansing coolness for our lungs; the scent of a wood fire, piñon in chimineas; the warm aroma of harvest treats – apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies
• Taste – the rich flavors of the harvest – apples, cranberries, pumpkins, nuts

May we each enjoy the sensory and sensual feast of the harvest season.

The true harvest of my life is intangible, a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Sun Worshippers

2009-08-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

.. The sunflower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turn’d when he rose.”
- Thomas Moore
from Irish Melodies

It’s August and the sun worshippers are out in full glory – both human and floral. Sunflowers, the sun worshippers of the plant world, hold center stage in the late summer sun. Their bright, yellow faces track from east to west constantly following their god, the sun, in its daily journey across the sky. Aptly named, the sunflower is like a mirror reflecting the golden rays of the sun in its petals.

Although the sunflower looks like one big blossom, it is actually composed of hundreds of miniature flowers or florets snuggled closely together in its velvety brown center. These florets lack the signature showy yellow petals that serve as a neon attraction to bees, butterflies and other pollen sippers and seekers. Each floret has its own stigma, ovary, style and anther, which eventually transform into an individual seed. Compacted together, they provide a soft, cushioned landing pad for visiting insects.

The first florets to open and offer their nectar and pollen are the outer ones next to the yellow petals. These are followed by their neighboring flowers, and progress gradually to the center of the blossom. As each section is drained of its pollen, these flowers begin their magical transformation into plump seeds, packed full of nutrition. The seeds are popular treats for birds, especially chickadees, goldfinches, and blue jays as well as squirrels, chipmunks, and even humans.

Early pioneers, with their need to be resourceful and to “waste not,” made good use of all parts of the sunflower. New tender growth on the plant was cooked and eaten like asparagus. Of course, the seeds were eaten as snacks, used in baking, and fed to the birds during the cold winter months. Leaves and stalks became fodder for livestock, and fibers from the stalk were used to make cloth, often colored with dye from the yellow petals. Oil from the seeds was used for cooking and making soap and paint. Although the superstition of planting sunflowers close to the house to prevent malaria is no longer practiced, we continue to develop new uses for sunflower byproducts.

Sunflowers are native to both North and South America. The Inca culture of Peru placed a high value on them and used them in celebrations to honor their sun god, Inti. Inca goldsmiths replicated the sunflower design in elaborate and intricate gold patterns, which participants wore or carried in their celebrations. It is the flower emblem of Peru.

The botanical name Helianthus comes from the Greek words helio meaning “sun” and anthus meaning “flower.” Helios was the Greek god of the sun. A mortal woman, Clytie, loved him. But as is common in the love stories of myths and legends, it was a one-sided affair. Helios ignored and neglected Clytie, causing her to follow him everyday like the sunflower in constant hope for his attention and love.

Sunflowers tower over their garden neighbors providing shade and relief from the sun for shade-loving plants. Their height can also be used to create sunflower playhouses for children by planting parallel rows and weaving the heads together to form a sun-dappled roof.

Perhaps its towering height and showy blossoms earned the meaning of “haughtiness” in the Victorian language of flowers. Other sources give it the meaning of adoration and devotion of “My eyes see only you,” referring to its constant” eye” on the sun as it follows its course through the sky.

Sunflowers have gone global as a symbol of sorts, an icon for the hope of a world free from nuclear weapons. After the Ukraine surrendered the last of its nuclear warheads, the defense ministers of the United States, Russia, and the Ukraine met on the grounds of a former missile base in June, 1996, to scatter sunflower seeds and to plant flowers in the hope of a world free from war. Perhaps this hope is guided by the wisdom of the ancients in a quote from a Native American legend: “Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile.”

The Pretty-Petaled Petunia

2009-08-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

It’s August and petunias are in their colorful glory. The candy-store colors of the popular flower, many with ruffled edges, have not always graced our gardens. Its distinctive shape reminds me of the old Victrola in grandma’s parlor and my summers on the farm with her. Its sweet fragrance always takes my memories back to those sunny summer days of childhood.

The many varieties of the plant are said to have come from two varieties, both from South America: the Petunia nyctaginflora or “night-scented petunia” and the Petunia violacea, the “purple flowering petunia.”

In its native lands, the petunia was considered a weed that grew rampant in the countryside instead of the flower we cultivate for show and color. Spanish conquerors, interested only in gold and silver, fame and fortune, ignored the beauty of the small, simple flower. The Indians called it petun from the Quiche language meaning “worthless tobacco,” indicating their knowledge that it was related to the tobacco family, which was called petyma, putuma, or petema by different tribes.

In 1823, a plant hunter “discovered” the petunia with its white trumpet-like flowers growing along the Rio de la Plata in Argentina. He sent seeds back to France and England, where the plant bloomed the following year. It was christened Petunia nyctaginflora because of its heavy fragrance at night, which attracted moths. It is now known as Petunia Axillaris. In 1830, a second variety was found in Argentina near the bank of the Uruguay River. It was also sent back to England and flowered there for the first time in 1831.

Neither variety gained much attention or popularity in Europe. Like many things in life, timing is everything. In the 20th century, the petunia’s time of glory arrived when plant breeders in the United States began experiments to produce showy doubles and grandifloras that resemble carnations and peonies with their many layers of petals.

The plant’s hardiness and ability to survive and sometimes even thrive in drought or dry conditions make it a favorite flower in summer gardens or cascading from baskets on decks or patios. In spite of its current popularity, the seeds of such showy plants, always revert to their simple native heritage and produce only the purple or white flowers of its ancestors.

From the Manger to the Cross - The Robin's Story

2009-04-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

From the manger to the cross . . . Some animals at the Nativity also played background roles throughout Christ's life leading to the events of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The Bible specifically mentions the donkey, rooster, and the dove in the Crucifixion and Resurrection stories.

A touching folk legend tells about the robin's presence at the Crucifixion. On Good Friday, a robin was feasting on morsels dropped by travelers and traders near the gates of Jerusalem. A strange commotion attracted its curiosity. A throng of soldiers and common people were shouting and throwing stones at three men carrying crosses.

The curious robin followed the crowd to Calvary, where it saw two of the men strapped to crosses. The third man was nailed to a cross. The kind, weary eyes of this man caught the robin’s attention.

The robin flew to the man with the kind eyes and tried to pull the nails out of His bleeding hands. The little bird tugged and tugged, but even with all its might, its beak was not strong enough to loosen the nails. Unwilling to give up, the little bird flew to the man’s head and began pulling out the thorns piercing His forehead. Some soldiers tried to kill the robin with stones, but a centurion warned them not to harm the little bird.

The robin stayed with Christ until His death. Shortly before His last breath, Christ blessed the robin with a red breast. The bird’s breast feathers, stained with Christ’s blood would always remain red as a sign that people would forever remember the bird’s compassion, courage, and love.

For more stories about the donkey, rooster, and dove, read Menagerie at the Manger, which follows the stories of these animals from the manger to the cross during the Lenten season.

Legends of the Lilies

2009-04-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
They toil not, neither do they spin:
Yet I say unto you,
That not even Solomon in all his glory
was arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28-29

Historians believe the biblical mention of “lilies of the field” actually refers to the many wildflowers that grow in Israel, in particular to the crown anemone. The flower we know as the Easter lily can easily fit the biblical description of a splendidly dressed flower. The genus lilium contains about 80 varieties of these glorious plants used primarily for decoration and cultivated for over 3000 years. Surprisingly, the lily’s family tree includes such relatives as asparagus, yams, aloe, garlic, leeks, and onions.

Easter season brings forth several legends and folklore about the lily and its religious significance. The popular lily we use today to celebrate Easter is not the Madonna lily of old. An American tourist brought the lilium harrisii to the United States in 1875 from Japan. It was named for the florist who made it popular.

The growth cycle of the lily symbolized the Resurrection story: the seemingly lifeless and ugly bulb is buried in the ground, later to be reborn as a glorious white trumpet-like flower. Its white color symbolizes the purity of Christ and the joy of the resurrection while its trumpet shape suggests the angel Gabriel’s trumpet call to rebirth and resurrection

Folklore stories allege that many plants received their special identities and characteristics because of their association with Christ or the Virgin Mary. The Roman Catholic Church adopted the Madonna lily to represent and honor the Virgin Mary because its pure white exterior symbolized her purity while its gold-sprinkled interior represented her supreme value and worth. The stamens and pistils, the reproductive organs of the plant, were often removed to make the plant truly pure for the church altars.

One legend claims that lilies were originally yellow. One day, as the Virgin Mary was walking to the temple to worship, she bent down to pick one of the blossoms. At her touch, the flower changed to the pure white we recognize to day in her honor. Joseph, who was walking with her, was also touched by this miracle for his staff began to grow a bouquet of the white lilies.

Another legend tells of the disciple Thomas who was away at the time of Mary’s death. Consistent with his reputation as one who had to see in order to believe, he demanded that her tomb be opened so that he could view her body as proof that she had really died. Reluctantly, the other disciples obeyed his request. To everyone’s amazement, they found her tomb filled with lilies and roses, the flowers traditionally dedicated to her. As they stood in wonder, a Madonna lily appeared at Thomas’ feet. When he looked up, he saw Mary floating above him.

A less common lily, the red lily from Caucasus has the tendency to droop its head. It was originally believed to be white. As Christ walked through the Garden of Gethsemane on his way to pray, all the flowers bowed in reverence. The lily knew she was exquisitely beautiful with a powerful fragrance. She wanted to be noticed by Christ as he walked through the garden. She did not bow as He passed her. To her surprise and embarrassment, He stopped and gazed directly at her. She suddenly became ashamed of her pride and conceit and blushed a deep red and lowered her head. To this day, this is how the red lily presents itself.

With such amazing transformations and miracles, the lily became a charm to ward off evil and to counter the devil’s acts of mischief, which were believed to be especially prevalent and potent during the superstitious Middle Ages. It was a common belief that just by inhaling the perfume of the flower, one could overcome and undo the deed of evil forces.

Cross Timbers of the Cross

2009-03-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Ancient legends claim that at the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood was a tall, stately, and sturdy tree, much like the noble oak. For these reasons, it was chosen to be the wood for the Crucifixion cross.

When it learned its destiny, the dogwood became greatly distressed at being used for such a cruel purpose. But, Christ recognized the dogwood’s great sorrow and forgave its participation in His death by decreeing the dogwood would never again attain the height to be used as a cross. Instead, it would always be bent and slender.

Its delicate white blossoms in the spring would represent the cross, with two long and two short petals, each with small, reddish-brown indentions like nail prints in the outer edges. The brown color represents the nails used on the cross, and the red, Christ’s blood. The stamens gathered in the center resemble the crown of thorns as a reminder that Christ is king.

Although more commonly associated with the Christmas season, the holly and mistletoe are also credited by some legends with roles in the Crucifixion. One legend claims the holly sprang up beneath Christ’s footsteps as He walked to the crucifixion. Its red berries represent His blood. Other legends claim that the crown of thorns Christ wore on the cross was actually made of holly. Its berries were originally white, but became stained red when the sharp leaves pierced His skin.

The wood of the holly is hard and even-grained, perfect for construction. Unfortunately, it shares the stigma of being used for the Crucifixion cross with the mistletoe and dogwood.

Of the three trees mentioned in legends about the cross, the mistletoe suffered the most severe punishment. It was banished from the earth for its role in Christ’s death. Once a magnificent tree, it could only return to earth as a small, spindly parasite, depending on other trees for its survival.

The redbud tree also shares in the tragic legends of the Easter season. Often referred to as the “Judas tree,” the name comes from the biblical reference that Judas hanged himself on a flowering tree after he betrayed Christ. The redbud flowers during the Easter season and fits that description.

Throughout its lifespan, the redbud remains a lightweight tree with a bonsai-like profile in the landscape. Its branches seldom grow strong enough to support a person’s weight. But, the name Judas tree may actually be a mispronunciation for Judea’s tree, another reference to the redbud because it commonly grew in the region of Judea.

Read more about legends of the mistletoe and holly in Decking the Halls ~ The Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants.

Pansies are Forever

2009-03-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

How do you entertain a wiggly little girl visiting her great-grandparents’ museum-like home with lots of look-but-don’t-touch temptations? What do you do with her bursts of energy and giggles when the quiet game or books and crayons just don’t work anymore? How did people amuse children before television and computer games?

My great-grandfather’s solution was to take me by the hand and lead me outside where he had a bed of pansies in the center of his backyard. There he would kneel down, pick some of the delicate flowers he was so proud of, and tell me fanciful tales about the blossoms with petals like bright happy faces. In these magical fairy tales, the pansies became queens and princesses dressed in elegant gowns with a full court of ladies-in-waiting.

My favorite story was about a royal family. The king sat at the center of the pansy, according to my great-grandfather. His wife and four beautiful daughters were the five petals of the blossom. They always dressed in rich, elegant colors and liked to show them off to everyone. They loved the king so much they crowded close to his throne to be near him.

Occasionally they would leave the king to go on exciting adventures. As each one left, my grandfather would gently remove a petal and give it to me. I could touch the soft, velvety texture of each petal as he continued the story. After the queen and all the daughters had left, I could see the fat little king (actually the pistil and stamens of the flower) who had been hidden by the fancy skirts of his wife and daughters. What wonderful seeds my grandfather planted in my imagination with stories like this!

As I grew older, I realized how unusual it was for a stern, older man who seldom smiled and spoke even less to share folktales of the past with a chatty little girl. How paradoxical, but magical, that a man who lived the austere, work-filled life of an early Oklahoma pioneer would indulge in the extravagance of pansies and the whimsy of telling flower fairy tales to his great-granddaughter.

I later learned that many of his stories came from his German heritage and had probably been shared with him by his mother, grandmother, or maybe even his great-grandfather. His stories reached across the span of time, linking generations from the past to those of the present and future. Memories of those flower stories give me a glimpse of the sensitive side of this man I knew only through the eyes of a child.

Each time my great grandfather told me flower stories, he shared his personality, imagination, and memories. His folk and fairy tales taught me fun lessons about traditions of the past and instilled in me a life long love of stories and gardening.

From that pansy bed long ago in my great-grandfather’s backyard to the pansies that now greet guests at my front door, the roots of my family tree run deep. The colorful faces of my pansies transcend time to connect the generations through my great-grandfather’s legacy of love and stories of the past.

In the Victorian language of flowers, pansy means “think of me.” And yes, I do think of my great-grandfather whenever I see a pansy, and I thank him.

Spring Surprises

2009-03-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

Daffodils – March’s signature flower - announce spring’s arrival as their trumpet blossoms dance in the wind. Along country roads and highways that cut through the flat prairie land in Oklahoma where I live, splashes of sunshine-yellow blossoms brighten the last brown tones of winter. Sprinkled randomly in the landscape, these exclamation points of color often mark an abandoned homestead with its lingering memories.

This year on my morning walks, I discovered two daffodil bouquets tucked in the woods near my house. These patches of color triggered questions and imaginings in my mind: Who planted them? When? Was there once a house there? Were the flowers part of a cherished garden? For me, the flowers were a message from the past that someone long ago cared about the future.

Why not give a surprise gift to the future – or your neighborhood! Daffodils are a success-guaranteed flower. Follow the planting directions on the package, water and walk away. The bulbs hibernate peacefully under the snow until late February or early March.

You can buy enough for mass plantings in the fall at bargain prices. The return on your investment multiplies through the years. These buried treasures pop up every spring and increase through the years to cheer our winter spirits and celebrate the arrival of spring.

Plant a bed of daffodils or if you want to have more fun, do as my sons and I did several years ago: Stand in the center of the yard and toss the bulbs high in the air. Then plant the bulbs where they land. My neighbors and I still enjoy the flowers planted years ago in a whimsical and fun way.

I wonder who will find the daffodils I’ve planted in the future. I hope they will be as happy to see them as I am when I discover patches of happiness planted long-ago by an anonymous gardener.

Daffodil, Narcissus, Jonquil: Which is which and why?

2009-03-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

Bright bouquets of daffodils dot my front yard. Several years ago, my sons and I enjoyed the custom of throwing the bulbs high in the air and then planting them where they landed. The result has been an attention getter and sometimes traffic stopper as people linger to enjoy our whimsical planting scheme. I like to think maybe that’s the way God planted His gorgeous garden, laughing with joy at the beautiful surprises each plant will bring . I enjoy the memories of that day with my sons and like Wordsworth, . . “my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils.”

These spontaneous splashes of color in my yard go by many names - daffodil, narcissus and jonquil. Which is correct? All derive from the Narcissus family, and their blossoms are very similar. It is the length of the trumpet and the number of flowers per stem that distinguish one from the other. Daffodils have one blossom per stem while jonquils have clusters of blossoms.

Confusion continues with the origin of the plants’ names. It is possible that because daffodils were similar to the asphodel flowers, which are members of the lily family, that the name became corrupted over time. Daffodil could also come from the English word affodyle, which means “that which comes early,” referring to its early appearance in the spring.

Myths tell their own version of how the flower came to be. Long ago, according to Greek mythology, a mountain nymph named Echo fell madly in love with a mortal named Narcissus. He was a handsome but vain youth who was preoccupied with his own interests: hunting and admiring his good looks. He rudely ignored Echo’s efforts to interest him, so she sadly hid in a cave, suffering in grief until she died and faded away. Only her voice remained, which still haunts caves and canyons today. After her death, Narcissus became so absorbed in looking at his reflection in the water, that one day he fell in and drowned. The gods changed him into the flower that bears his name to remind us of the consequences of vanity and egoism. Similar versions of this myth exist in Roman, Arabic, Egyptian, Spanish, and Portuguese cultures.

The Romans believed that sap from the daffodil could heal wounds. However, it contains tiny sharp crystals called calcium oxalate that may actually irritate the skin. These crystals keep animals from eating the plant and are the reason that when daffodils are combined with other flowers in a vase, other flowers will wilt.

The powerful perfume of the daffodil can sometimes be overpowering, a reference to the word narcotic, which is related to narcissus. Although narcissus bulbs are poisonous, they have been used for centuries in medicines when mixed with other ingredients.

Whatever the flower’s name or origin, I hope you take time to enjoy the joyful beauty of these spring charmers. For more lessons from the daffodils, check out “The Daffodil Principle” at www.atthewell.com/daffodils

A Season of Love-birds

2009-03-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

February is the traditional month of love. Even some birds seem to celebrate this season of love. My patio has been the dining area for several resident lovebirds this month. At least five pairs of mourning doves gather each morning for a breakfast of grain and corn, waddling and twaddling about on their sticklike legs. I’ve named each couple Lovey and Dovey. When you see one dove, you see its mate nearby. They peck for seeds together and converse with whispered coos.

Like doting lovers, they are comfortable in their routine and relationship. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, they seem to take our commitment vows more seriously than we humans do. They mate for life – till death separates them.

Early cultures recognized the constancy and gentleness of these birds and associated them with love and peace. The early Greeks and Romans honored the dove as a symbol of love. It was the sacred bird of Aphrodite and Venus, their goddesses of love. For the Chinese, Japanese and Hindus, the dove symbolized peace.

From the Old Testament to the New Testament in the Bible, the dove appears as a messenger of good news. A dove delivered an olive branch to Noah to mark the end or the great flood and to show that peace had been restored between God and man. From that event, the dove and the olive branch became symbols of peace and reconciliation.

A dove appeared in a dream to the parents of Mary before her birth to let them know the important role she would play in religious history as the mother of Christ. A second dove perched on Joseph’s staff as a sign to him that Mary would become his wife.

Legend claims the soft cooing lullaby of the doves in the Nativity stable soothed the Christ Child to sleep. Later at the infant’s ritual blessing with by Simeon, Joseph brought two white doves as an offering to the priests.

At Christ’s baptism, the spirit of God descended from the heavens like a dove. And, doves appeared at Christ’s resurrection as symbols of the love and peace in His life.
Throughout Christ’s live, doves surrounded Him with their beauty and gentleness.

The antics of my lovebirds have entertained me this past month. But they have provided more than just a bird-watching experience or entertainment. Watching them has convinced me that we humans have much to learn from our friends the birds – constancy, companionship, and caring – simple lessons from beautiful, simple creatures.

Flowery Language

2009-02-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

If you’re too shy to let your Valentine sweetheart know your true feelings, let flowers do the talking for you. According to the language of the Victorians, each color of a rose has it own romantic meaning. Indeed, a bouquet can be designed to communicate a message for your loved one simply by the color and kinds of roses you choose to include.

Here’s a simple translation for those who aren’t fluent in flowery language:
Red – I love you.
Pink – Perfect happiness
Coral – Good fortune, integrity and beauty
Cream – Richness and perfection
Orange – Enthusiasm, desire
White – Innocence, purity
Lavender – Rarity, dignity
Red and white mixed – Unity
A single rose – Simplicity
A thornless rose – Sincere friendship

Other love words expressed by flowers could include:
Admiration – Sunflower
Beauty – Camellia, pink carnation, daylily, delphinium, lilac, peony
Best wishes - Basil
Betrothal – Red carnation
Declaration of love – Red tulip
Devotion – Honeysuckle
Fascination – Red or yellow carnation, fern, pinks
Happiness – Lavender, sweet marjoram, plum
Joy – chrysanthemum, calendula, sweet marjoram, myrtle, oregano, rose
Passion – red carnation, myrtle, red rose
Remembrance - pansy
Sweet dreams – phlox
Sweetness – delphinium, lilac, magnolia, sweet violet
Warm feelings – mint, all varieties
Wedded love – ivy

. . .For there is a language of flowers.
For there is a sound reasoning upon all flowers.
For elegant phrases are nothing but flowers.
Christopher Smart

The Rose ~ Queen of All Flowers

2009-02-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns.
I am thankful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr, French novelist

If your Christmas mistletoe kiss has led to a mid-winter romance, Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to follow up with a message of love conveyed by the flower most associated with romance: the rose.

The once wild and simple flower has evolved to a showy, hybridized blossom with dignified, proud names of honor. Scientists have found fossil images of the dog rose, or R. canina, (from which all roses are believed to have come) in Colorado, dating back more than 40 million years. The rose it seems has always been with us.

The Greeks and Chinese have cultivated roses for more than 3,000 years for medicinal uses: remedies for headaches, toothaches, earaches, intestinal diseases, hangovers, insomnia, nosebleeds, hemorrhages, perspiration and rabies. Even before the beneficial properties of vitamins were discovered, the ancients must have known roses contained ingredients that promote health and healing.

Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers bestowed the title “Queen of all Flowers” on the rose. Through the ages, the rose has been honored as such in art, song, and verse – from the poetry of Shakespeare and Burns to the nursery rhymes of our childhood (think: Ring around the Rosie).

The extravagant use of roses during the time of the Roman Empire came to represent the excesses and indulgences of that period. Nero once decorated his banquet hall with more than one million rose blossoms. Another time, his guests were almost smothered when a deluge of rose petals fell from the ceiling during a gala. In fact, the Romans had such a passion for roses they imported the flower not by the cart but by the barge load from Egypt where the growing season was longer.

Such excess was not limited to the Romans. Cleopatra once carpeted a room almost two feet deep in rose petals for a rendevous with Marc Antony. Catherine of Baganza in Portugal traveled to the Orient for the imported roses she used for her wedding to Charles II of England. For Josephine, Napoleon’s wife, roses were more than a prized collection of blossoms. Before she went out in public, she picked enough roses from her 250 varieties to fill a bouquet to carry in front of her bad teeth.

But, all was not love, luxury and romance in the history of roses. The flower has its own war stories to tell. In the 30-year War of the Roses in England, the House of York was represented by a white rose; the house of Lancaster by a red rose. The conflict ended with the marriage of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII, uniting the two rival houses. In celebration of their wedding, a red rose was planted on one side of the entrance to the church and a white one on the other to represent peace and unity. Legend claims that on the following morning, a new rose bush appeared with blossoms that blended the red and white colors. It is known as the York and Lancaster Rose.

In World War II, the ivory Peace Rose almost became a casualty when the Nazis invaded the home of breeder Francis Meilland. He smuggled the rose out of Europe in 1940 to the custody and protection of his business partner Robert Pyle.

A talented breeder in his own right, Pyle carefully tended the orphan rose. It flourished under his care, and with its first blossom, Pyle was convinced the rose would be recognized as one of the greatest roses of the century. He introduced the specimen rose on April 29, 1945, the day the Allies captured Berlin. The flower was named “Peace” and it became an immediate symbol of hope for a weary, war-torn world.

Later that year, Dr. Ray Allen, secretary of the American Rose Society, sent a long-stemmed Peace Rose to each delegate at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations. Each rose carried the note, “We hope the Peace rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.”

Perhaps we should all take the time to smell the fragrance of the Peace Rose.

Sweets for the Sweet

2009-02-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

Chocolate doesn’t make the world go ‘round. . .
but it certainly makes the ride worthwhile!
Anonymous

It’s the chocolate time of the year – Valentine’s Day – the perfect occasion to celebrate the wonders of chocolate. Of course, for chocolate lovers, a.k.a. chocoholics, any time of the year is perfect for enjoying its smooth, rich taste – no special season or reason required!

Chocolate expresses love, and rightly so – it has always been a treat for the elite. From earliest times, chocolate has been an indulgence and a symbol of wealth and privilege. As for love, at one time it was considered a love potion by some Central American tribes and an aphrodisiac favored by Montezuma, Casanova and Madame duBarry. Ancient cultures believed this special food was a gift from the gods to their people to give them strength, stamina, and resistance to fatigue, necessities for survival in those times.

Although the Aztecs have long been credited with being the originators of our passion for chocolate, the first aficionados of the popular treat were actually the Olmecs and Mayas. The origin of the word “cacao” has been traced to the Mayan word kakawa. How and when they discovered the uses of the cacao seed is unknown.

While the Mayas may have been the first chocolatiers, the Aztecs are renowned for their consumption of chocolate. Montezuma II, the last Aztec ruler, and his palace staff allegedly drank 2000 servings a day – 50 of those by Montezuma himself. They drank the hot, bubbly brew in golden cups befitting its place of honor in their culture.

The Aztec brew would probably shock rather than tempt our taste buds. It was bitter, hot, and spicy, a drink that required an acquired taste for the Spanish conquerors. They described the drink as “loathsome . . . with a scum or froth that is very unpleasant to taste.” It was this froth or foam that the Mayas and Aztecs craved.

Chocolate passed through the hands and taste buds of several famous explorers in its journey to its current form and taste, including Christopher Columbus and Hernán Cortés. Columbus was the first European to come in contact with cacao, but he was unimpressed with the seeds. Cortés sent three chests of the seeds to King Carlos of Spain. Although the king was intrigued with the drink that “built up resistance and fought fatigue,” the Spanish found the bitter Aztec chocolate hard to swallow, both literally and figuratively.

They replaced the chili pepper flavoring with sugar, which was more agreeable to their palate. Adding sugar increased the cost of production, reserving the drink only for the rich and privileged while slaves and servants labored for no wages to produce it.

For almost 2000 years, chocolate was served only as a drink. In the 1800s, chocolate took on new forms and shapes making it accessible to the general public. Baker, Cadbury, Nestle and Hershey became the Who’s Who of the chocolate world, each with a major contribution to its quality, production, and marketing.

Chocolate is an addiction that people are proud of – their good taste in good taste. Critics and chocoholics and chocolatiers have bantered for years about the nutrition or lack of in chocolate. Sometimes its virtues are valued and in vogue while other times its sins are headlined. Currently, the virtues of chocolate, especially the dark, rich kind, seem to outweigh its vices – except for overindulgence – a fact supported by its $50-plus billion annual retail sales.

For those who need one, Valentine’s Day is the perfect reason to give chocolate to those who are special in our lives. It’s also a good time to self-indulge in one of the simple and inexpensive pleasures of life – the gift of the gods – chocolate!

Remember, a day without chocolate is like a day without sunshine. I think I’ll indulge in my daily dose right now!

Much Ado About the Much Maligned Mistletoe

2008-11-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

From superstitious to sacred, from ancient pagans to prairie pioneers, the strange mistletoe plant carries a mysterious history of both aversion and curiosity. Mistletoe has piqued the curiosity and imagination of both saints and sinners for centuries. Much of its scandalous history has been ignored or forgotten, and mistletoe, the kissing plant, has become one of our most popular Christmas plants and traditions.

Our ancient ancestors believed mistletoe could heal many illnesses, predict the future, and protect against witchcraft, nightmares, and even death in battle. They also hung it in stables to protect livestock from trolls. Actually, it does have some healing properties and has been used in creating modern medicines.

The mistletoe’s association with the Druid and Roman cultures caused its banishment by the church. Each year the Druids celebrated the winter solstice with sacred ceremonies involving the strange looking plant. They all gathered in the forest, led by the Arch Druid and his high priests. There they selected the tree with the most mistletoe on it. Mistletoe on an oak was considered extremely rare, and therefore especially potent and lucky. The Druids treated this mistletoe with special reverence and chose the oak tree with the most mistletoe for the ceremony. The Arch Druid climbed the branches to the mistletoe and severed it from the tree using a golden sickle.

Some legends claim the Arch Druid caught the plant in his flowing white robe; others by virgins holding a white cloth. The Druids then shared the mistletoe among themselves as a symbol of peace and prosperity. They hung it over their doors to ward off evil spirits, to ensure fertility and to encourage settling old arguments. They expected guests to embrace under the mistletoe.

Our popular tradition of kissing under the mistletoe comes from the Romans who like the Druids required enemies to reconcile under the mistletoe. Much like the olive branch, the mistletoe has been used throughout history as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Another tradition includes leaving mistletoe hanging in the house throughout the year, and not disposing of the old, dried out bits until fresh mistletoe can be hung at the beginning of the holiday season. Nowadays, we use it only during the holiday season.

Mistletoe is most commonly associated with the kissing tradition. Proper etiquette about kissing under the mistletoe dates back to ancient times; the gentleman should pluck one white berry while kissing the lady on the cheek. One kiss is allowed for each berry. When the last berry is gone, there should be no further kissing. A successful kiss under the mistletoe will result in marriage or so legends claim. Unmarried ladies were encouraged to take a sprig of mistletoe to place under their pillows to dream about their future husband.

Along with other greens of the season, mistletoe is often burned on the Twelfth Night or January 6. Unmarried girls are encouraged to be especially attentive at the burning of the greens. A steady flame from the mistletoe indicates a steady, even-tempered spouse, while a sputtering flame predicts a cross, irritable, and bad-tempered mate.

Mistletoe endured many years of banishment from the church because of its association with the Druids and Romans. A medieval legend claims its wood was used to make the crucifixion cross, which, according to this legend, was once a tree. As punishment for its role in Christ’s death, it was cursed and no longer welcome on earth. The only way it could return was as a parasite dependent on other trees for its survival.

Early pioneers also helped redeem the mistletoe’s reputation. In 1889, after the opening of Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma, the settlers endured several hard winters in the new land. On their first Christmas, they observed mistletoe growing “thick as Spanish moss” in the trees along river and creek bottoms. Weary from the hard work to settle the land, the hardy survival of the mistletoe became their inspiration for endurance against the elements and unpredictability of the future. Often it was the only greenery available in the winter to decorate graves of loved ones or to use in weddings. The settlers were unaffected by its disreputable past and probably didn’t even know of its unsavory history.

Mistletoe became the state floral emblem of Indian Territory in 1893, and the state flower of Oklahoma in 1910, a title it claimed until it was replaced by the Oklahoma rose in 2004. Its current title is state floral symbol, a tribute to the hardy spirit of early settlers and their endurance in settling a new land. In the language of flowers, mistletoe means, “I surmount all difficulties” ~ an appropriate claim for both its history and that of the pioneers.

Adapted from Decking the Halls - The Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants, available through www.authorsden.com, www.childrensbookmarket.com, and www.amazon.com.

Mum's the Word!

2008-11-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

As Mother Nature flings her last splash of color across the garden canvas, chrysanthemums burst forth in stunning colors to become the showstoppers of the autumn garden. Brilliant crimson, bronze, yellow, and lavender reflect the changing colors of the trees. Although shorter days with less sunlight actually cause chrysanthemums to blossom, it is much more poetic and romantic to give credit to Mother Nature.

Chrysanthemum comes from the Greek words chrysos meaning gold and anthos meaning flower. Through the years, they have been hybridized to create the array of colors and varieties we enjoy today, and their 13-letter name shortened to mum to make spelling easier. Chrysanthemums have long been a source for medicines, dyes, wine, and flavor enhancers for soups and salads. In Mediterranean countries, chrysanthemums were used in garlands to protect against demons.

The first recorded home of this ever popular flower was China where it was regarded as one of four noble plants, which also included bamboo, orchids, and plums. Historical records indicate that Confuscius wrote about the showy flower in 500 BC. Japan also claims the chrysanthemum as its own and has given it royal status in its culture. Both cultures share a legend that defends their claims to its high honor.

Nearly 3000 years ago, an aged Chinese emperor learned that a magic herb to restore youth grew on Dragonfly Island in the Sunrise Sea. Only young people could collect the herb. Eager to restore his youth and to continue his life indefinitely, the emperor chose 12 young maidens and 12 brave young men to make the perilous voyage to find the magic herb. The sailors packed China’s greatest floral treasure, the golden chrysanthemum, in bamboo baskets as a trade item for the natives of the island.

Their journey was plagued with sea dragons, monsters, and storms. When the adventurers arrived at Dragonfly Island, they found no magic herb or any people on the island. They feared crossing the monster and storm filled seas and returning without the magic herb. They decided to remain on the island and to make it their new home, which we now know as Japan. The chrysanthemum was their only connection to their homeland. Through the years, it became a revered emblem of the imperial family, the original Japanese people.

The true history of the flower’s travels was that Zen Buddhist monks carried it with them from China in 400 AD to Japan where the 16-petal chrysanthemum became the symbol of the Mikado or emperor. In Japan, the flower means long life and happiness.

When the chrysanthemum was introduced to Europe, it did not receive the attention and fanfare it was accustomed to in China and Japan. Robert Fortune, an English gardener encouraged his personal fortune and the popularity of the pompon chrysanthemum in England and Europe. In 1843, while on the island of Chusan, off the coast of China, he saw the colorful, button-like flowers in a small garden tended by an old Chinese gardener. He purchased some of the unique little flowers, naming them the Chusan daisy. He also bought another variety, which he named the Chusan minimum because of its small of button size. These plants became the ancestors of our current popular pompon flowers.

Although the flower was not well accepted in England, when they were introduced in France, they became an immediate hit. Their popularity in France caused the English to reconsider their indifference to the flower. Eventually it became popular there also.

In many cultures, chrysanthemums are associated with death because they bloom at the end of the growing season. The flower is commonly used at funerals. Perhaps its floral meaning of cheerfulness in adversity can offset the grief of death.

Marigolds - The Golden Flowers

2008-10-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

The popular marigold was once called Mary’s Gold, in reference to the Virgin Mary. But, through the years, its name has evolved to a blending of sounds that produces the familiar word “marigold.” In medieval times, flowers associated with the Virgin Mary were considered to have special powers to bring good luck and to protect against evil and witchcraft. For these reasons, the marigold was a common and honored choice to adorn church altars.

In Mexico, the marigold is a reminder of the ancient Aztec culture that is still honored in the traditional Day of the Dead festivities on November 1. Day of the Dead celebrates the cycle and circle of life when spirits return to visit their families and homes. Known in Aztec times as cempasuchil or the flower of 400 lives, marigolds represent life’s shortness. Families fashion the colorful flowers into wreaths, garlands and crosses to decorate graves and altars. They sprinkle marigold petals on the ground and burn the flowers and copal to create a fragrant path to guide their ancestors’ spirits back to their earthly homes.

The flower had a very heartfelt meaning for the Aztecs. Its colors symbolized the sacrifice of their people for the Spanish lust for gold. The reddish center represented the blood of the Indians spilling over the yellow petals, which represented the gold the Spanish sought and killed for. Because of this, the marigold is also known as the “flower of death” in Mexico. Aztec priests mixed the dried flowers with dried tobacco leaves to produce a trance, which allowed them to see into the future when they inhaled the pungent smoke.

The botanist, Leonhard Fuchs, bestowed the name Tagete in the 18th century to the Mexican marigold. The beauty of the plant and its uses by the Aztecs reminded him of the myth of Tages, an Etruscan god and grandson of Jupiter. Tages was a handsome youth who found such special favor with the gods that they shared their secrets of divination and prophecy with him. He then shared this treasury of knowledge with the chiefs of the land. After learning his secrets, the chiefs killed him out of jealousy for his youth and good looks. To honor him, the gods granted Tages immortality and made him one of the principal Etruscan gods.

From the myth of Tages, the language of flowers grants the meanings of prediction and prophecy to the marigold. The Aztecs contribute meanings of despair, sorrow, and death from their history. Perhaps such heavy symbolic responsibility and meanings have made the marigold a hardy plant that adapts easily to a variety of challenging conditions in poor soil, extreme heat, and lack of water.

Marathon of Monarchs

2008-10-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Only Mother Nature would choose the butterfly’s wings for her canvas of geometric designs. From simple to ornate, she uses colors ranging from subtle, muted tinges to bold, daring contrasts. Some look like elaborate stained glass creations while others exhibit an exotic, almost Oriental flair. Aside from the artistry of their wings, the designs are part of a master strategy to protect the butterfly from its predators through camouflage, mimicry, or a blatant warning of their toxicity or sickening taste.

Like a miniature ballerina dancing through the air, the butterfly pauses, poses, and pirouettes on flower blossoms to warm its wings and to drink in the energy-filled nectar that sustains its life. A symbiotic relationship exists between butterflies and flowers. Each needs the other for its existence and survival: the butterfly for the nutrition and energy of the flower’s nectar; the flowers for the pollination activities of the butterflies to perpetuate the species. The butterfly leaves dainty footprints of pollen on the blossoms as it waltzes from flower to flower.

Possibly the most amazing feat of the butterfly world is the annual pilgrimage of millions of Monarch butterflies to the mountains west of Mexico City. The genetic compass of these hardy travelers navigates a new generation of butterflies over 2000 miles to the same area each year to spend a pleasant, warm winter in the tropics. Millions fly from the United States from late August through October and return the following spring, sometimes covering a marathon of 200 miles a day. Mexico has established several Monarch preserves to protect the winter home of these marathon travelers.

In many cultures, the butterfly represents the soul leaving the body at death. The Aztecs of Mexico believed that souls of warriors slain in battle joined the sun on its daily journey through the heavens until noon. In the afternoon, the souls became butterflies and hummingbirds and fluttered to earth to enjoy the flowers in the fields. Butterflies adorned the outer circle of the Aztec calendar and were displayed in paintings, murals, gold work and stone.

The butterfly is considered an omen of death in some cultures, while in others like the Aztec culture, it is considered the spirit of an ancestor who has returned to visit. It is a popular tradition in the United States to release butterflies at weddings and funerals to signify hope and a new life.

According to legend, the butterfly’s silence plays an important role in granting wishes. If you want a wish to come true, you must first capture a butterfly and then whisper your wish to it. Because the butterfly makes no sound, it cannot tell your wish to anyone. You must always release the butterfly to its natural freedom and in gratitude for its release, you wish will be granted!

The Blackfeet tribe believes that butterflies bring us dreams that can teach us many things. To encourage her child to sleep, a Blackfeet mother ties a buckskin clothe with a butterfly embroidered on it in her baby’s hair while she sings a lullaby to attract the butterfly to bring good dreams to her sleeping child.

If butterflies do indeed dance through our sleep to bring us dreams, then the free spirit of the butterfly encourages us to follow and cherish these special gifts. The Chinese poet, Chuang-Tzu captured the essence of butterfly dreams when he wrote: “I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.”

How beautifully the year grows old!

2008-10-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

Autumn ~ the mellow bridge between the extremes of summer and winter. It slips up on us like a cat on tiptoes until one day we proclaim, “Fall is in the air- I can feel it!” That sensory acknowledgement holds the anticipation of a glorious fall: fiery foliage, golden pumpkins, Halloween, football games, harvest moons, and festivals to celebrate the season’s bounty.

It has not always been so.

Our ancient ancestors did not greet autumn with such delight and pleasure. They had an internal, intuitive knowing that things were changing. But, without the scientific information and facts we have today to explain nature’s cycles, they were left to observe, listen, and respond to the earth’s fluctuating rhythms. They knew when the days became shorter and the nights longer, the dark time of the year was approaching.

For them, the changing colors of the leaves were an omen that life had changed - and not for the good. It foretold a season of darkness, cold, and scarcity. Deep within their knowledge lingered an ancient fear that the sun would disappear and never return, leaving them in a world with no light to grow their food or to provide warmth for their families.

Autumn brought doubts that made them appreciate each other more.

During harvest, people began to come together as a community – not just to share food and warmth, but because they believed evil spirits were especially prevalent at this time of the year, lurking in the shadows. They believed there was safety in numbers and practiced many rituals and ceremonies to protect themselves from the spirits and to entice the sun to return. Evergreens or conifers were the trees of choice for these rituals because they believed the trees that lost their leaves were dead and could not help their pleas to the sun to return.

While we can conjure up all kinds of magical imaginings to explain autumn’s color changes, the Autumnal Equinox, on or around September 22, marks the seasonal color changes. On this day, the hours of daylight equal the hours of darkness.

Ancient cultures believed the color changes symbolized that the god of darkness had conquered the god of light, further intensifying their fears. We know now that shorter days with longer, cooler nights trigger the reduction of chlorophyll, a green pigment produced in leaves that help plant cell convert sunlight into useful nutrients through a process called photosynthesis.

The best show of color occurs when there are sun-filled days with cool nights or when there has been weather stress such as drought conditions.

The color show does not last long.

The first frost dislodges the leaves, sending them whirling and swirling to the ground, where they become a crunchy carpet, eventually to be raked into piles or blown away by the wind. Rich in nutrients if left on the ground, the leaves become food and shelter for insects and small animals or fodder for microbes that decompose the leaves to become part of the fertile earth again. Nature does not waste this treasure, recycling the leaves to replenish the soil, completing the cycle and circle of life.

Autumn’s crisp weather and bright colors call us outside to witness the cycle of nature as few other things can do. The season gives us not only pause but also an opportunity to appreciate that each stage of life is precious. Or as John Burroughs, the father of the American nature essay once observed: “How beautifully the leaves grow old! How full of light and color are their last days!”

A Mid-Summer Night's Flowers

2008-06-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

It’s that magical midsummer time of the year, when fairies (or “little people” as William Shakespeare, a.k.a. the Bard, fondly called them) come out to play in the moonbeams of the summer solstice.

Shakespeare appears to have been fascinated by the ancient traditions and customs of the midsummer and solstice celebrations, which celebrated love, romance, and the fantasy world of the fairy people. Maybe he even participated in some of the rituals. The customs of his time included great bonfires to provide light for the celebrants and to ward away evil spirits. Many young people stayed up all night, even though it was the shortest night of the year. What made them linger? Perhaps it was to see the fairies come out to play or the little people who came forth to stand watch against the evil forces that might intrude on the solstice celebrations.

Flowers played a major role in Midsummer’s Eve celebrations. It was customary to deck the halls and house much as we do now during the Christmas season, only with birch, fennel, St. John’s wort, orpin, and white lilies, which were chosen for their power to repel evil. Other important flowers and herbs included rue, roses, fennel, and ferns. Lovers often tossed these special flowers to each other across the bonfires.

Was Midsummer’s Eve the magical summer day Shakespeare was thinking of when he wrote Sonnet 18 with its oft quoted “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Was it the legendary magic of the midsummer night, the fairy magic, or the special powers of the summer flowers that inspired Shakespeare to write A Midsummer Night’s Dream?

In this enchanting comedy set in Athens on Midsummer’s Eve, Shakespeare invites us into the magical world of fairies, fantasy, and romance, surrounding the characters with several traditional flowers as well as other popular flowers and plants of his time. In the dream scene, action is set on “a bank where the wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine with sweet musk-roses and eglantine.”

Love-in-idleness, now known as the pansy, is the unwitting protagonist that causes Titania, queen of the fairies to become temporarily “enamored with an ass.” The antidote that revives Titania from the confusion of her midsummer dream is another herb, possibly wormwood or artemesia, named after Artemesia, the Greek goddess of the chase.

Of course, no proper summer garden would be complete without roses, which are mentioned at least 70 times in Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. As much as we may prize roses today, it pales in comparison to Shakespeare’s time when even dew from rose petals was highly coveted. Merchants used it to make highly priced cosmetics, such as rose water for Elizabethan ladies. Legends also advise that the dew of Midsummer’s Day is especially powerful, granting any lady who washes her face in it the gift of becoming more beautiful in the coming year.

Fern and fennel also graced midsummer celebrations. Typically hung over doorways to block evil spirits from entering, fennel seeds were also stuffed into keyholes to prevent ghosts from entering the house. Fern seeds, the tiny little brown dots on the undersides of the fronds, were believed to have the charm of making people invisible.

That said, you did have to be quick about it, or so the legend goes, because the only time they could be gathered was between midnight and 1 a.m. when they ripen. A very risky undertaking, it could anger the fairies that were said to be jealous of any mortal who acquired the power of invisibility. How to elude them? Well, wearing your jacket inside out was advised to protect you from dangers such as this.

Midsummer is a fine time to celebrate with the Bard in the garden. Many botanical gardens have sections devoted to Shakespeare and the plants mentioned in his works. Because the settings of many of his works are in natural or garden settings, his plays lend themselves to outdoor performances, a perfect way to spend a pleasant summer’s evening in the Bard’s literary garden. Of course, there’s always an easy chair and your own personal, favorite book from the garden-loving Bard.

Paeans to the Peony

2008-04-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

The plush, lush peony is certainly not a “peon” or servant plant in the flower world. It takes its name from Paeon, the Greek physician to the gods.

Although it would seem the all-powerful gods would never require the services of a doctor, nevertheless, it was commonly believed in the circles of the gods that Paeon possessed a magic root that could cure many ills. Paeon was a student of Asclepsius, the god of medicine and healing. When he learned Paeon possessed a more potent medicine than he did, he flew into a jealous rage and threatened to kill his upstart student. Zeus, the supreme god, and often the mediator in such godly squabbles, stepped in and resolved the situation by changing Paeon into the flower we know today as the peony.

From this myth, the Romans claimed the peony was the first herb to be used in medicine with powers to cure 20 illnesses. Because of the many miraculous powers attributed to it, the peony is often known as the blessed herb. Its powers are alleged to protect against demons, witches, storms and the evil eye. It also possesses powers to protect the harvest and shepherds and their flocks. Some specimens seem to glow in the dark, adding to superstitions surrounding the plant.

Apollo, the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine, figures in several myths and stories about the peony. The Greeks believed Apollo frequently disguised himself as Paeon, and they often sang songs of thanksgiving and praise to him. These songs were known as paeans, which have the same origin and source as the flower’s name.

Another myth concerns the brother-sister teasing and taunting common not only among humans, but apparently among gods and goddesses as well. Diana, Apollo’s sister and goddess of the moon, was known as the huntress because of her abilities with the bow and arrow. She fell in love with Orion, the handsome son of Neptune, the god of the sea. This greatly displeased Apollo.

Orion could walk through the deepest waters of his father’s seas with his head always above water, a special gift from Neptune. One day, Apollo saw Orion walking in the deep seas far in the distance. He seemed to be just a speck on the horizon. Apollo dared Diana to try to hit the speck with an arrow, teasing and taunting her ability as an archer. With only a quick glance at the speck, she aimed her arrow and shot, hitting Orion in the heart and killing him.

When his body washed up on shore, Diana saw that it was her arrow that had killed him. As she wept in great grief at his side, beautiful peonies sprang up where her tears touched the ground. To honor her love for Orion, Diana placed him among the stars, forever to be known as the hunter of the night.

The boldness of its beautiful blossoms and its heavy fragrance that can scent a room with only one blossom belies its mean in Victorian language of “bashfulness.” Its showy flowers of pink, white, and shades of red sometimes measure four to six inches in diameter. The foliage is full and creates an attractive shrub for summer months after the blooming cycle.

The peony is the favorite flower of China where it probably originated over 2000 years ago. The Chinese name for peony means beautiful, and it is the floral symbol of prosperity. It is equally popular in Japan where it is the symbol for a happy marriage and virility.

Like many plants, the peony is a world traveler. It reached England from china by about 1200, probably brought by Roman legions. From England, peonies traveled to America with early colonists to brighten their new homes and to recall fond memories of their old homes. Peonies can live and bloom for more than 100 years if undisturbed, often outliving the gardeners who cared for them. With wild roses and irises, they are often the only remnants of old family farms and homesteads.

Valentines in the Garden

2008-02-10T18:00:00.001-08:00

Valentines in the Garden

Hearts – the universal symbol of love and Valentine’s Day. From the physical organ pumping within each of us to the man-made representations in our culture, the heart is so ever-present it has become a symbolic part of our alphabet, possibly the 27th letter. It’s emblazoned on buttons, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and bumper stickers, a bright red symbol that proclaims our love for everyone and everything from Mom to skydiving.

But, hearts aren’t always red or available only on Valentine’s Day or other romantic occasions. Have you ever wandered through a garden, forest, or a field of wildflowers and noticed the valentines from God? Tucked among the beauty and fragrance of the flowers and plants, God has shared “love notes” to us with heart-shaped leaves and flowers in a variety of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. They’re everywhere!

Roses, morning glories, moon flowers, caladiums, hostas, impatiens, violets, geraniums, and ivy – that’s just the short list. Scalloped leaves and petals like doilies, frilly ones in a rainbow of colors with striped or variegated colors, velvety or satiny – each is a personal “I love you” message from God. Even towering trees and lowly weeds wear heart-shaped leaves or flowers with that same message of love. From flowers to trees and even weeds, God’s message of love is for each of us, often as simple and obvious as a heart-shaped leaf or petal.

In the stillness and beauty of a garden, God’s presence speaks to each of us in a rich bouquet of valentines from elegant roses to lowly weeds. Whenever you need a reminder or assurance of God’s love, take a walk through a garden, the woods, a field, or even a city park. Stop and smell the roses – and all the other flowers, and look for God’s valentines of love. Always you will find God where you most expect Him, but sometimes in the most unexpected ways! Happy Valentine’s Day – every day – from God in the garden!

From Dust to Love

2007-12-31T09:47:00.000-08:00

In a serendipitous series of events, I was asked to write an article about Oklahoma’s centennial farms and ranches for Oklahoma Today magazine. “From Dust to Love” in the 2008 January/February issue tells the history of three Oklahoma families, including mine - the Liebharts, Traylors, and Watsons - and their century-long ties to the land. Sharing pages and print with Vince Gill, Oklahoman of the Year - how good does it get! Check out Oklahoma Today’s website at:

www.oklahomatoday.com/

Excerpts ~
Boom and bust, drought, dust storms, tornadoes, floods, primitive living conditions in dugouts and soddies – all are chapters from the hardscrabble history of Oklahoma agriculture, each providing enough adventure for several lifetimes. Oklahoma centennial farmers and ranchers’ very existence reflects the stories of those events as these modern-day pioneers continue to make a living on the land their ancestors homesteaded early in Oklahoma’s history.

Like their parents and grandparents before them, a new generation of Oklahoma’s centennial farmers and ranchers are connected to the land. It’s in their history, character, perhaps even their DNA.

Such a symbiotic partnership with the land – and the blood, sweat, and tears put into it – proves the strength of not only family ties but terrestrial ones. This mutual respect between landowner and land that began more than a century ago continues to forge a powerful connection that ensures able stewardship for years to come.

A Long Winter's Nap

2007-12-30T14:05:00.000-08:00

And now let us welcome the New Year
Full of things that have never been
Rainer Maria Rilke

The pace of life has slowed to a crawl. Winter, the season of hibernation and repose for all living things has arrived, the time of the long winter’s nap. It’s January, and we are only a month into this enigma of a season. Will it be mild and mellow or cold and cruel? How long will it last? Eagerly, we look forward to February, hoping the groundhog will predict a short winter, but knowing all the while that some of our worst winter storms come as late as mid-March.

The change of seasons is like opening the next chapter of a really good book. The Ojibwa tell a legend of the gentle transition from winter to spring that is also a metaphor for the seasons and cycles of life. The Spirit of Winter was an old man, similar to Old Man Winter in popular culture. He was a seasoned and weathered elder, with locks of white hair and a long beard. As the end of his seasonal responsibilities neared, his bluster and icy breath were stilled by his tiredness.

As embers of the fire in his hearth dimly glowed, the Spirit of Spring, a handsome young man wearing a wreath of green in his sun-colored hair, entered the lodge. His movements were quick and light, and his eyes sparkled with the promise of the future.

The two spirits decided to tell each other about their adventures and accomplishments. In a slow voice, the Spirit of Winter told how the streams stopped when they felt his breath and how the snow covered the land when he shook his long locks. The leaves of the trees disappeared whenever he exhaled.

The Spirit of Spring boasted that when he shook his golden curls, the warm rain fell and the flowers and grasses began to grow. His breath warmed the streams and melted away winter’s ice and snow. Birds gathered at the sound of his voice.

As the generations shared their stories, a subtle, quiet change took place. The sun began to rise and a gentle wind to blow. As they grew stronger, the Spirit of Winter grew weaker and slowly dissolved into small trickles and tears of water that sank into the welcoming earth. As the Spirit of Winter grew weaker, the Spirit of Spring grew stronger and rose to his full height to greet the first birds, blossoms, and children of spring.

Winters seldom leave so gently. Rather, we are teased by several false springs before we can trust that Old Man Winter has shouted his last “Hurrah.”
Through the long winter’s nap, the neutral tones of the landscape reflect the muted energy of life as we muse, ponder, and wait for the exuberance and growth of spring to return. While many people escape to the tropics, hibernate like our wise friends the animals, or even consider winter a season of dismal discontent, why not appreciate the singular beauty of the season with Thoreau’s advice:

Live in each season as it passes;
breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit
and resign yourself to the influences of each.
Let them be your only diet, drink and botanical medicine.

The Plant of Many Names

2007-12-23T18:19:00.000-08:00

There are many names for the poinsettia – pronounced with an “i.” Its common name comes from Joel Poinsett, the first US Ambassador to Mexico. In 1828, while visiting Taxco, he found the poinsettia plants growing wild. He was so impressed with them that he sent several specimens back to the US. Since then they have become the most popular Christmas flower.

You could also call it Euphorbia pulcherrima, its Latin botanical name, which means very beautiful flower. If that’s too hard, how about the name the Aztecs gave it? The poinsettia was an important plant for them. They used its sap to cure fevers and its bracts to create a red dye. They called it cuetlaxochitl, which means “flower that wilts” because it requires special care and has a short life span.

Still another name comes from a Mexican Christmas story. It is a tradition in Mexico for worshipers to bring flowers to place around church Nativity scenes. One story tells of a little girl who wanted to bring flowers to a manger. She had no flowers or money to buy flowers, but she decided to attend the Christmas services anyway.

As she walked to the church, she was crying because she had nothing to give. An angel appeared beside her. “Gather those weeds beside the road,” the angel told her. The child protested that weeds were not a worthy gift. But the angel promised her the Christ Child would know her great love for him through her simple gift.

When the child placed her bouquet of weeds on the manger, they burst into the brilliant red flowers of the poinsettia. For this reason, the poinsettia is known in Mexico as “la flor de Nochebuena” or the “flower of the Holy Night.”

Whatever name you choose, the poinsettia reminds us of the beauty and miracle of Christmas.

Read more stories about the passionate poinsettia in Decking the Halls - The Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants.

Christmas Tree or Chrismon Tree?

2007-12-16T12:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas tree or Chrismon tree? Which is it?

It’s a Christmas tree because it has lights and ornaments – just like any Christmas tree.

But, it’s a Chrismon tree because the ornaments are different.

What’s the difference?

The tradition of the Christmas tree began in Germany in the 8th Century when the monk Boniface named the evergreen tree the Tree of the Christ Child. In the Middle Ages, Paradise Trees were popular during the Christmas season to symbolize Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden because Christian calendars marked December 24th as their feast day.

A popular story from Germany tells about how Martin Luther placed the first lights on a Christmas tree. One December night while walking in the woods, he used the stars to guide him home. Inspired by the twinkling night lights, he pulled up a small fir tree to take home as a Christmas tree for his family. Instead of hanging it upside down from the ceiling as was the custom then, he stood it up as it would naturally grow and attached small candles to it. The candles on Luther’s tree and the lights we use on our modern trees remind us of God’s love that lights our lives. The upturned branches and needles of the evergreens encourage us to focus our thoughts and prayers upward to God.

The tradition of the Chrismon tree began at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia in 1957. The word Chrismon is a combination of two words: Christ and monogram. The Chrismon tree is a special Christmas tree decorated with symbols or monograms of our faith.

Chrismon ornaments are only white and gold: white to represent purity and gold to represent what is precious and valuable. Because it shines, gold also represents the presence of God. The ornaments on the tree tell the story of Christ’s life. Each represents a significant event of His life from Advent to the Ascension.

Chrismon trees include several types of stars, shells, the rose, which is the flower of the Nativity, butterflies, which represent new life through the Resurrection, and the Alpha and Omega signs. There are also several styles of crosses from other cultures. Each symbol has its own story.

Whether your tree is a Christmas tree or a Chrismon tree, it tells a story. In our homes and businesses, Christmas trees often reflect individual faith, interests, or hobbies. If your tree is a Chrismon tree, its ornaments tell the story or Christ’s life and the lights represent the light He brings to our world and lives.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

For more legends and stories about Christmas trees, read Decking the Halls – the Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants by Linda Allen

Mystery of the Christmas Balls

2007-12-13T15:03:00.001-08:00

The glint and sparkle caught my eye one day in August as I drove to work along a rural road. I passed by the glittering object for several days before I could determine what it was – a lone, golden Christmas ornament on a sky-high cedar in a windbreak. Out of place, out of context, and out of season. What was the reason this man-made jewel dangled proudly on a low-hanging branch in the hot summer sun? Who placed it there? When? Why? Was it a left-over part of a more elaborate display deliberately placed there by a Christmas enthusiast?

Speculation, curiosity, and mystery filled my imagination. As the Christmas season approached, I debated: Do I stop and add another decoration to the lone ornament? Or, do I leave it alone in its singular glory for other drivers to enjoy, admire, and puzzle about? In the busyness of the season, I decided not to add my decoration to the tree.

During the holidays, I had no reason to travel the country road. What a surprise greeted me when I drove the road after New Year’s! To my amazement and joy, I saw more Christmas balls hanging in the cedar windbreak. The ornaments were spaced equally, one per tree in a rainbow of colors – red, green, blue, and silver. Each sparkled in the morning sun.

Now the mystery was even greater. Was this a Santa thing? Or, did the Christ Child pay a local visit on Christmas Eve to bless all the trees? Did he decorate them with magical ornaments such as spider webs that turn into tinsel and brightly colored balls? Ancient legends claim so.

Whatever the real reason, for me, the mysterious ornaments are reminders that the reason for the season extends to all seasons, even in unexpected places. The message of the ornaments diverts my attention from worries to wonder as I puzzle about who, when, and why.

Read more Christmas stories in Menagerie at the Manger and Decking the Halls - The Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants by Linda Allen. Available at amazon.com

The Holy Holly

2007-12-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

Did you ever wonder why we sing the seasonal “fa-la-la-la-la” song dedicated to the holly? What’s so special about holly and why do we decorate our homes and churches with it?

It all began long ago when early peoples like the Druids and Romans used holly when they celebrated Saturnalia or the winter solstice about December 22. Holly was the sacred plant of their god Saturn. They exchanged wreaths of holly and decked their halls with the plant in his honor.

Some people feared that when the days became shorter, the sun might never return. They noticed plants like the holly remained green all year. So they brought them into their homes to deck their halls as a kind of lucky charm to guarantee the sun would return.

Decking the halls of our churches is a Christmas tradition celebrated with the hanging of the greens service to inaugurate the season. But, holly wasn’t always accepted by or used in the church. Early Christian churches banned holly from celebrations because of its association with pagan cultures. Some brave Christians used it in their Nativity celebrations to outsmart the pagan authorities. They pretended to be participating in Saturnalia festivities with other Romans, but they were actually celebrating the birth of Christ.

The ban on holly was lifted in the 1600s because of legends about its role in the crucifixion. One story claims holly sprang up from Christ’s footsteps on His way to the crucifixion. His blood stained the white berries so they would forever be red. Another legend says the crown of thorns Christ wore on the cross was made from holly. Its sharp leaves pricked his forehead staining the berries red. Still another story states the crucifixion cross was made from the wood of the holly tree.

In religious symbolism, green means nature, youth, and the hope of eternal life. Red symbolizes fire, blood, and charity. The holly plant brings these images together in our traditions and seasonal decorations in our churches and in our homes.

So, as you deck your halls with boughs of holly, remember to tie a sprig of holly on your bedpost for happy Christmas dreams!

For more stories and traditions about holly and other Christmas plants, check out Decking the Halls – the Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants. Available at amazon.com

Decking the Halls by Hanging the Greens

2007-12-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hanging of the Greens and Advent services – the spiritual prelude to the Christmas season without consumer overtones. Both services celebrate customs and traditions of the past with natural decorations.

For centuries, our ancestors decked their halls with the hanging of the greens, but for very different reasons than churches of today. Long ago, cultures like the Druids, Celts, Norse, and Romans celebrated Saturnalia or the winter solstice around December 21. As the days became shorter and the longest night of the year approached, their fears that the sun might not return were roused. To entice the sun god to continue its gifts of warmth and light, they created rituals and celebrations with huge bonfires and riotous revelry. They also noticed some plants remained green throughout the year. So they brought these plants, like holly and evergreens, into their homes as lucky charms to guarantee the return of greenery and growth in the spring.

We deck the halls of our churches to symbolize God’s eternal love for us. Like the colors of holly and evergreens, His love never changes.

We use evergreens in the Advent wreath each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means arrival or coming. It refers to the season of hope and anticipation we celebrate the four Sundays before Christmas.

The Advent wreath began as a Lutheran custom from eastern Germany. Shaped like a circle with no beginning and no end, it symbolizes God’s eternal love and mercy.
In ancient times, wreaths were the common man’s crown. They represented honor and wisdom and were used by the Druids, Celts, Romans, and Greeks.

Ancient Egyptians are credited with creating the first candles. They made torches from reeds soaked in melted tallow or animal fat. The Romans took that idea and created wicks so that people could travel easier in the dark and use them to light their homes.

For Christians, the symbolism of the candle is strong: Christ is the light of the world and lights our lives and our journeys, just like the candles of the Romans and Egyptians. Candles remind us to reflect God’s love and grace in our lives.

The Advent wreath has four candles that encircle a white candle, which is the Christ candle. One candle is lit on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas. The center candle is lit on Christmas Eve. The purple color represents penitence and royalty. White represents purity and hope.

Greenery, the Advent wreath, candles – all are symbols of God’s eternal love that lights our lives. From one generation to the next – God’s love for all people, all ages, and all times.

Read more stories about Christmas plants and traditions in Decking the Halls – The Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants.

For the Birds!

2007-11-24T18:05:00.001-08:00

Folk legends depict the first Christmas as a magical time when all of nature celebrated wondrous events. Stars fell from the heavens, ordinary weeds became beautiful blossoms, and animals and birds received the gift of speech. Legends claim that all the animals gathered at the manger to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

A barnyard bird, the rooster, is credited with waking the animal kingdom to invite them to the celebration in the stable. Awakened by the unexpected midnight crowing of the rooster, birds left their nests to spread the news to all parts of the world. The Nativity night is the only time in history when the rooster crowed at midnight, according to legends. In Spain and Latin America, the traditional Christmas Eve mass held at midnight is named “Misa del Gallo” or the Mass of the Rooster to honor this legend.

From eagles to emus, herons to hummingbirds, and parrots to peacocks, birds of rainbow-colored feathers flocked together to worship at the manger. Nativity art pictures a variety of birds gathered in the stable, differing from culture to culture.

The dove, recognized as the universal symbol of peace and love, is the most typically associated with Christ’s birth. According to many legends, the dove made multiple appearances in Christ’s life. It first appeared in a dream to Mary’s parents before her birth to tell them of the important role she would play in religious history. A dove perched on Joseph’s staff as a sign that Mary was to become his wife, so say ancient legends.

At the Nativity, it was the soft, cooing lullaby of the doves that soothed the new baby to sleep. Possibly their song was the first Christmas carol. When the infant Jesus was taken to the temple to receive the ritual blessings, Joseph brought two white doves as an offering to the priests, an interesting connection to the two turtledoves in the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Later in Christ’s life, doves appeared at his baptism and resurrection, symbols that his life was truly one of love and peace.

Watch birds are special friends of Santa. Beautiful songbirds of many varieties, they report to Santa about the behavior of children in their villages. Often seen perched on his shoulder or close to his ear, they whisper the names of all good children to him. As the name suggests, these birds are charged with being Santa’s “extra eyes” to report our thoughts, words, and actions to Santa. Because we do not know which birds have been chosen to fulfill this role, it is of course in our best interest to be on our best behavior.

Clad totally in red from topknot to tail feathers, the cardinal’s red color represents the love of the season. On his wings, he carries glad tidings of Christmas wishes and blessings of health and happiness for the New Year. Like a bright exclamation point against a background of pure white snow and the evergreen of the trees, the cardinal is a beautiful reminder of the true reason for the season.

Whether the role of the birds in the Nativity is fact or folklore, their stories and traditions add a magical touch to the mystery of Christmas. Finding a bird’s nest tucked among the branches of the Christmas tree is one of the luckiest traditions of Christmas, for it predicts good fortune through the coming year.

Read more stories about animals at the Nativity in Menagerie at the Manger.
http://www.amazon.com/Menagerie-at-Manger-Linda-Allen/

Listen to an interview with hosts Kim Bloomer and Jeannie Thomason on Animal Talk Naturally radio blog at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ATNGoneWild/2007/11/21/Managerie-at-the-Manger or http://audioam.blogtalkradio.com/show_109187.mp3

The Ancient Cross Timbers

2007-08-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Whispers from the past beckon us into Oklahoma’s ancient forest. You may question whether Oklahoma, with its stereotype of spacious prairies, can claim a forest with trees more than 500 years old, but the answer is “yes.”

Known as the Cross Timbers, this crosshatch maze of pecans, cedar, walnut, hickory, willow, and a variety of oaks have played a significant role in Oklahoma’s ecology and history.

Read more about the Cross Timbers in my article, “The Cross Timbers – Oklahoma’s ancient forest tells tales of the past,” in the August issue of Oklahoma Living. Visit Oklahoma Living online at http://www.ok-living.coop/.

Things That Go Chomp in the Night

2007-07-01T14:34:00.001-07:00

Under cover of darkness, with only the light of the moon, something stalks and raids my garden. It is an unidentified foraging creature – a midnight munching marauder.

I first noticed a few leaves nibbled from my hostas. Then, entire plants disappeared, bitten off at ground level. Bug or beast, critter or creature, whatever the midnight muncher is, It leaves no clues or evidence to It’s identity - no tracks, no burrows, no torn or trampled turf.

I guess I should be flattered that the neighborhood wildlife is sampling my gourmet garden. I really don’t mind a few occasional nibbles, but my generosity ends with the devastation of an entire area.

Not knowing what my foe is, I decided to deter It’s forays into my flowers and vegetables. I started by covering what seemed to be It's favorite plant with a inverted wire basket. It changed It’s menu to another plant. Next, I sprinkled chipotle and red pepper around the base and on the leaves of the plants. But, It liked the added heat and spice and ate even more plants. Plants disappeared as if they had never been planted. The chomping, crunching culprit continued to win the battle.

Both my foe and I stepped up our defenses. It seemed unaffected by any of my remedies. In fact, It’s appetite became voracious. As a last resort, I pulled out my trusty roll of chicken wire. I attached it to the fence on one side and weighted the other with bricks and stones. The result is not a cover spread for Better Homes and Gardens, but it works!