The Okie Legacy

Vol. II, Issue 68 22 July 2000

Dandelion Fields

When People woke up this Friday morning and stepped outside, a unified gasp of reality hit many as they saw trees laying horizontally in their yards, across their roofs and on their cars. The winds began around 2:00AM in the central part of the state early Friday morning with the thundering winds blowing trees & power lines horizontally.

There were NO tornadoes, just high winds that acted like F1 tornadoes and knocked down power lines, blew out windows in some of the tall buildings and toppled trees onto rooftops and across roads. There is never a dull moment in Oklahoma's weather. There is always something out there and around the corner that strengthens our characters and keeps us busy cleaning up on weekends. We are resilient just like the Dandelions that grow in our fields... And we are safe!

Last weekend... Before heading out for the northwest corners of the state to get reaquainted with my horse and colt (Cindy & Okie Moon), I stopped over at a dandelion field on the web to gaze upon one of nature's medicinal flowers commonly known as a wayside weed by many... BUT known by some as a delicate flower that speckles the landscapes with it's yellow/gold... The "Dandelion" (dent de lion, French). Stop over and visit a friends Dandelion Field

Is the dent de lion a misunderstood flower or just a weed? As it firmly clings to our lawns, highways and byways with its ferocious grip, our enterprising attempts to make it a rare and endangered species seem to make it determined to come back stronger and stronger. The strategies for survival have given the dandelion a foothold in our lawns if not in our hearts.

If you have the heart of a child... the dandelion is a golden fistful of love, Mommy's first bouquet. A yellow/gold sparkle of polka dots in the green fields and valleys. If only we could possess again the "undoubting wisdom" of a child. This poem is an Untitled poem by Emily Dickinson... "Its little Ether Hood || Doth sit upon its Head -- || The millinery supple || Of the sagacious God -- || Till when it slip away || A nothing at a time -- || And Dandelion's Drama || Expires in a stem."

Let us take a dandelion break to explore its more uncommon history. The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has had many common or descriptive names including pissabed, priest's-crown, telltime, and wet-a-bed. Some say the French dent de lion (tooth of the lion) refers to the deeply toothed leaves. The golden petals resemble the gilded teeth of the heralded mane of the lion. A fifteenth-century surgeon's report claims that the plant is as strong and powerful as a lion's tooth. Dandelion is also called Leontodon (lion-tooth, Greek), from a supposed resemblance between its leaves and the teeth of lions.

Are we being unconsciously poetic when we refer casually to such wayside weeds (flowers) as "Dandelions", "Baby's Breath," "Butter-and-Eggs," "Deadly Nightshade," "Aster (meaning "a star"), "Heal-All," "Solomon's Seal" "Jewelweed," "Thimbleweed," "Black-eyed Susan," etc. The common daisy is like a diminutive sun with its golden center and outspreading rays. It was called the "Eye of Day" or "Day's Eye," hence "daisy."

The Dandelion has been recorded as far back as 300 B.C., and grows all over the world in rich and poor soil. Scholars speculate that dandelion leaves may have been one of the bitter herbs eaten by Hebrews on Passover since the plant is common in Egypt and western Asia. The genus name (Taraxacum) is derived from the Persian for "bitter herb."

As to the dandelion's medicinal value... it is rich in iron, copper, vitamins A and C. The dried leaf also contains about four percent potassium ranking it ahead of both broccoli and spinach in overall nutritional value. One legend says the Minorcans survived on dandelions when a locust plague destroyed their crops. Another maintains it was used on long sea voyages to combat scurvy. The Dandelion (European native) was cultivated in colonial gardens by people who saw many endearing qualities in the enduring plant. People who believed the perennial was one of Nature's greatest healing aids.

Remember when gathering Dandelions... That the plants are more tender when young. When the flower head begins to form, the plant turns bitter and tough. So gather greens for salads very early in Spring before flower buds appear. Gather Dandelions from open fields rather than yards or roadsides where they may be contaminated by pesticides and roving animals. Those that grow in your garden are the best tasting and the safest to eat. If you are too late and buds have already formed, cut the plant off even with the taproot and wait for new leaves to form. These will be tender but a tiny bit more bitter than the first leaves. If you leave the root in the ground when you gather leaves, new leaves will sprout and you can cut them 2 or 3 times before the bitterness becomes noticeable. Some say to leave the top of the root attached so the rosette stays together, others insist it's better to cut above the root so the leaves fall singly.

Are they wayside weeds or flowers? Some might say, "There are no weeds, only misplaced plants!" Are you one who thinks Dandelions are more of a weed than flower in your life and lawn? Would you be willing to change perspective a little and consider... "Most gardeners would adore finding a perennial that blooms virtually year-round, transforms itself from a bright spot of flowering sunshine to a lovely fairy fluffball of a seed head, and contains some of nature's most nutritive and medicinal properties as well."

Did you know that this flower can also tell you the time and predict the weather? A close look at dandelions in the field would tell farmers the weather, as dandelion blooms are quite sensitive to weather conditions. Have you ever noticed how it closes for the chill and damp of night, opening again just in time to catch the first sunlight. In fine weather, all the parts are outstretched, but when rain or storms threaten, the whole head closes up. It is a sign of rain when the down from a ripened dandelion head falls without wind helping it to do so.

Can you remember back when you were younger and you might have played a common game as a child -- To pick the fuzzball on the stem and make a wish just before you blew the seed head until all the seeds were released. Also, the number of puffs necessary to remove all the seed would tell them the time of day. There's another wise-tale that tells us that one should blow three times, and the number of seeds left determined the hour of the clock.

The dandelion is a delicate and strong flower with many misunderstood virtues. We could learn a lot by observing how the dandelion has survived all these years. Sometime in our lives we all have been considered weeds and others try to smother us and kill our dreams... BUT... Something inside (Faith, Hope, Friends, Love, etc...) rallied us to a point that we are made stronger and more determined to show ourselves (and everyone) that we are NOT Weeds... But are beautiful flowers! Do you have any Dandelion stories or recipes to share with us? Email Oakie!

o OAKIE'S MAILBAG/LINKS

"Hello, Linda! When do we look most like ourselves? We are visible to ourselves and to others in two ways: physically and spiritually. The physical look is transient between birth and death-- it may be modified by the beautician or the surgeon, even by our own habits of drinking, smoking, or smiling. The spiritual look is immutable, changing only by the good work we do-- the kindnesses we perform-- the love which we pour forth to others. This face is the face of God as well as of our real selves. It is beautiful beyond measure and recognizable by kindred spirits wherever they may be. My contribution for the day, anyway!"
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If you haven't stopped by my "Oakie's Polls" page, come check it out and leave your comments on the two Pollit.com Polls that I have put up. You can only Vote once on the Polls, but you can leave your comments as often as you like. I have a "Presidential Poll" and a "Big Brother Poll" Question.
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According to this article that appeared in the Oklahoman (7/19/2000) - Reality bites 'Big Brother', 07/13/2000, By Drew Jubera, Cox News Service -- "Reality bites. Or too much of it does --- That seems to be an early message of the plunging viewership for CBS' "Big Brother," the spy-cam reality show whose ratings have gone from curiosity-seeking great to ho-hum middling in less than a week. Since "Big Brother" debuted to 22.4 million viewers July 5, its ratings have dropped dramatically..... Also, the European import began slowly in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain, three countries where it went on to be a hit once viewers started to vote the 10 contestants out of the house. The five women and five men inside the "Big Brother" house on a CBS studio lot in Los Angeles will pick two of their own for possible banishment today. Viewers will then vote by telephone (an as- yet unlisted 900 number, charging $.99 per call), with the results and eviction airing live the following week. Last one left after three months wins $500,000..... The problem is simple: both the TV show and it's accompanying live, all-day- every-day Web site (http://www.bigbrother2000.com) have suffered from deadly dull reality. Lesson for programmers: Viewers aren't interested in watching people more bored than they are. NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE"
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I got to spend some time with my horses this last weekend and got some more photos to share with you. Okie Moon is going on almost 3 months now and has been shedding that fuzzy, colt hair for his shiny dark brown coat.
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"Hi, Linda! Your colt must be almost like a child to you! *S* I'm a city boy from Beantown, moved to Long Island and know very little about horses except as I remember them used in the delivery of milk, oil, and ice in my very early years. They were also used to collect rags, scraps, and usable junk of every description. The streets were decorated by the horses and occasionally the city would clean up. I look forward to hearing more about him!"
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The Minorcan History and Free Recipes - "On April 17, 1768, over fourteen-hundred Minorcans set sail from Gibralter for a new world which held promises of a prosperous future. Upon arriving in New Smyrna, they found their hopes were dashed. They found a settlement that was only prepared for approximately 500 settlers. The 500 Negro slaves that were coming from Africa had all died at sea when their boat encountered a severe storm. Food and shelter was in short supply. The Minorcans now found themselves in a slave situation, with young Andrew Turnbull in charge of the plantation."
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"Linda, thanks for the news of additions to the museum pages. I'll head over to check them out as soon as I finish seeing all the goodies in this week's H&H. I especially loved the lovely, lively ladies of the classes of the 20's."
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"My little birds are busily throwing all the seed out of the feeder and down on the patio. I've put out fresh water for them. My Dog lays and watches them peacefully, until they get into a spat and then she gets right against the patio door glass and breaks it up with her menacing stance and warning snarl. One mother bird with two babies... well, not babies, maybe fledglings... who can fly, but not well, more as if they merely have learning permits rather than full licenses to fly... anyway, they are regulars on the patio. The young ones peck around, but also hit up their momma for food. They also practice their hop starts and fly short distances. Yesterday, Momma and the two little ones had spent quite a bit of time at the all-day buffet and Momma decided to head for home. She hopped up and flew over the brick wall. The little ones stayed where they were. Momma came back, herded the little ones around then hopped and flew to the top of the wall. The little ones stayed where they were. You could tell when she landed on the patio floor for the third time that she was serious about it being time to go home. She hopped and flew over the gate, landing in the grass on the other side. One of the little ones hopped and flew to the top rail of the dog guard hooked to the gate. She perched there a second or two, then flew to join her momma. The other little one, hopped and flew to the toprail of the dog guard, misjudged his distance, hit the rail a little fast, then went butt over beak into the grass on the other side. He wobbled around a little, then the three of them all took off, none the worse for another lesson learned. I need a birdcam for my patio. I love the little ones, but I also like the bluejay who struts around as if he's king of the mountain until the little ones get tired of him and chase his ass off. And the too too beautiful cardinal who comes down, spreads his red crest to show what a magnificent specimen he is, and then joins with the little brown/black/white birds to pick among the seeds on the patio."
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I've just added some Murals photos that Freedom is in the process of adding to the west side of "Ferguson's Corner Grocery" on the west end of Main Street, downtown Freedom, Oklahoma, in Northwestern part of our state. Click on link to see the directory and scroll down to
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I've also Updated the "Reunion 2000" section of my Photo Album with the AHS Graduates of the 1920s Goldbugs... Click on link to see the file
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Gather Your Dandelions... "Dandelions are touted as a remedy for everything from menopause to skin diseases, and they're everywhere. Can we just yank up the humble little plants from our yards instead of paying over $20 per pound for the bulk herb at the neighborhood herb shop? The answer is a qualified "yes" if the plants grow wild in virgin soil in a clean environment."
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"Dandelion flowers are yellow/gold. The stems are hollow and the leaves grow in rosettes. The leaves have sharp, irregular, deeply scalloped leaf edges and grow in clusters one foot tall. As the leaves mature, they will exude a white milky sap when torn. This is true for all members of the lettuce family. The taproot is long and large with a yellow skin. "
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Health Benefits of Dandelion -- "Dandelion Tea is often brewed as a coffee sub-substitute, the roots of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) can also be used as an ingredient in root beer. The cleaned, raw roots can also be sliced into salads or cooked and added to other vegetables. The taproot is white on the inside and dark brown on the outside and grows up to 6 inches long. The plant first appeared in the 10th century journals of Arabian physicians. By the 16th century, the British considered Dandelion a valuable herbal plant and it has held a distinguished place among European herbalists for centuries. When the whole plant is used, Dandelion will work as a natural dye and turn a fabric a deep magenta."
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"Dandelion Tea -- No, it's not just an annoying weed. The entire dandelion plant can be eaten, the root, the leaves, and the flower. Dandelion tea is known for its diuretic effect and is often recommended to those suffering from water retention and bloating. This means it may help with PMS and the puffiness that it brings. Very effective at cleansing the bloodstream and the liver. Very high in vitamin A, B, and C."
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More than 10,000 German Immigrant QUERIES -- Search by surname, ship name, locality of origin or destination. Make connections and share information with other researchers. Queries, Books, Links. Genealogy queries about German emigrants and immigrants, throughout the world, any time period.

QUOTE/POEM of the WEEK

In a letter to her sister, Emily Dickinson provided some insight into her reclusive life. "Forgive me if I never visit. I am from the fields, you know, and while quite at home with the dandelion, make a sorry figure in a drawing room."

Untitled -- by Emily Dickinson
Its little Ether Hood
Doth sit upon its Head --
The millinery supple
Of the sagacious God --
Till when it slip away
A nothing at a time--
And Dandelion's Drama
Expires in a stem.
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Have a great week and look towards the grassy green pastures of horses and dandelion fields that you should pass along your way. I will be the one standing out in those fields amongst my horse and colt snapping photos. Letting my horses warm up to myself and my camera -- becoming one with them. Here's a cup of Dandelion Tea to heal your soul & body!

See Y'all Next weekend!

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