Prince or pauper, beggar man or thing
Play the game with every flower you bring
Dandelions don’t tell no lies
Dandelions will make you wise
Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion
-The Rolling Stones
Have you ever picked a blooming dandelion? Have you ever observed the egg yolk-colored, shaggy head structure of this flower? Have you ever blown on its white, puffy seed head and followed the little parachute-like seeds dispersed by the wind? If not, you are missing out on nature's wonders.
These days, in almost any neighborhood in America, it’s hard to spot dandelions. Homeowners hate them, really hate them! Why? It is an unwritten law in suburbia to show off a lush, green, even lawn. How boring! Why does a front lawn have to resemble a solid-colored, green carpet?
I bet that the big chemical companies started to discriminate against this flower. A clever way to sell their poison, which kills this innocent plant. What a cruel faith for a flower, whose every part can be eaten and holds medicinal properties. Not to mention all the bees who use it for pollination.
Let’s take a 3,000 mile trip to Switzerland in spring. Green, hilly countryside dotted with small farms. Grazing cow’s everywhere filling their stomachs with dandelions. As every Swiss farmer will tell you, the more dandelions in the pasture, the better the milk. Premium quality milk.
Still not convinced? Come over to my home! It’s easy to spot. It’s the house with the yellow dotted dandelions on the front yard. Observe my little granddaughter handing me a dandelion. I agree, this flower is not as elegant as a rose. But if you see her happy face, this flower becomes the most beautiful flower on Earth.