Many people know that I love weeds. I admire their resilience and beauty. In complete honesty, there are a few that I resist ~ Bind weed, creeping Charlie.. Nonetheless, I still find them beautiful. Usually, if a weed graces my life, I welcome it, bless where it planted itself and ask, "what lesson do you have for me to learn?"

They seem to know this interest I have in them, or at least, I believe it so, because I will get large groups (hordes?) of a species that spontaneously move into my garden, make themselves at home, intent that I receive their gift. (I wonder what the lesson of that invasive Bindweed could be... I admit, I am slow with that one.)

A few years ago, the guest of the summer was Blue Vervain. Oh my, not one corner of my garden was without that hardy representative. I do make room for any emissary, but I admit I found it very hard to find places to plant the zucchini and onions that really don't love competition.

This summer, the friends that have come in with gusto and en masse with every intention of staying for the long term are some ancient allies, allies of such benefit to me and all of medicine. The ones gracing my garden in bounty this year are ~ Nettles, Dandelion and Mullein. Ahh what medicine they bring~ I revere them. I use them for food, medicine, balms, and teas.

I always leave room for these plants as I love their energy, beauty and medicine. Last year, when I attempted my annual Autumnal search for dandelion roots for the winter storage, I found so few, that I worried that would not have enough for my teas~I had eaten most of them through the summer! I am so grateful that somehow, from some source, they returned this Spring in great quantities.

Then I noticed an interesting phenomenon. They planted themselves in greater quantities everywhere. The community boasts fields of yellow and green. Mmm, a sign for everyone in the community? I wonder. Last year, the most common weed I noted was mullein ~ an herb for the lungs and for grief... Certainly, something that has been beneficial this winter.

So what might Dandelion's intention be this year, for this community? Building our inner strength? Deep roots? I will listen to them with an open heart, to hear their intention. I may not know the answers ever, or for many months to come; Still I do and will love their presence.

Weeds are considered weeds, according to some maxim I've heard, "because they have benefits as of yet unknown." I would add to this maxim that they are considered weeds, because they are strong, resilient, pervasive and unapologetic. Perhaps those are important qualities for me to emulate this year.

Well, for now, I will smile at these friends and their beautiful rising stems, love and admire their graceful happy yellow blooms and wait to take in all they give to me, my teas, and the community this season. I may know more clearly how to express their wisdom come Fall

Happy weeding to all of you