Daffodil Story

The story of the daffodil originated from Greek legend & superstition. The Daffodil (Narcissus species) belongs to the Amaryllis family.
The botanical name of the genus Narcissus is often said to derive from the classical tale of Narcissus, who was blessed with eternal beauty. The drooping of the daffodil symbolises the image of Narcissus bowing his head to admire his image in the lake. They say the centre of the daffodil is a cup filled with his tears. Some people believe the daffodil represents vanity and unrequited love. This story led to the term Narcissism or a Narcissistic view. 

The bulbs are poisonous and if consumed, can cause vomiting. The bulb extract, if applied to an open wound, has caused numbness of the whole nervous system and heart paralysis. The flowers are slightly poisonous and the sap is toxic to other flowers and can also cause dermatitis and irritation to the skin, known as ‘daffodil itch’. 

It also has many beneficial uses and was used in the olden days to relieve whooping cough and bronchitis, and as a poultice to heal burns and wounds. Wealthy women used the yellow flower dye to tint their hair and eyebrows. Today, it is used in Alzheimer’s drugs and is also being researched as a treatment for depression.

Dogwood legend

Dogwoods are symbols of protection and safety in southeastern Native American tribes. In some Mohawk communities, the primeval Tree of Life in the Sky World was said to be a giant dogwood tree. In Northwestern tribes such as the Quileute and Makah, the dogwood symbolized good luck and dogwood berries were eaten during religious ceremonies.

The bark and roots of dogwood trees were frequently used as medicine herbs and dyes, as well. Dogwood sap, however, is toxic and was used in some tribes as poison. 

The souls who are left behind

How can the dead be truly dead when they still live in the souls of those who are left behind?

Collecting rocks

I collect the rocks that other people throw at me. Some of them are kinda pretty. One day they’ll figure out that rocks don’t bother me. 

Adrift: The Daily Post Prompt

I was adrift in a sea of questions and if answers were lifeboats, I was in imminent danger of drowning. 

Until She Runs

 She’ll be here until she runs. Some just have to chase the sun. 

Clover: a beautiful weed

Clover [Trifoliu]: Is not a flower. It is a weed. Along with clover’s ability to bring nitrogen back into depleted soil (hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots) clover also benefits many plants by stabilizing the moisture around their roots. 

Honeysuckle growing on the Honeysuckle Vine

Every time I smell honeysuckle in the air, it takes me to a time when I felt safe and loved. I’m right back to being 10 years old at my grandparents house. It was spring and there would be sweet honeysuckle growing on the honeysuckle vine…And love was blooming there all the time. 

Australian Eucalyptis & Peace

I absolutely love this Yankee Candle scent called Australian Eucalyptis. It’s a calming aroma. The one that’s become my new favorite. So I took a deeper breath and a picture to share with you. 

Behind the candle is a brick chimney built in 1938 by my grandfather and a great uncle.  They both died before I was born. 

Photo by: Cindie Harper

The Tea Shoppe

Tea is the elixir of life.