I have
written about the beauty and the sweet scent of the Flocks and Lilacs lining
the river road on my early morning bike rides. It is now late July, the pinks
and lavenders
are
gone, but the white Queen Anne’s Lace now line the way. They grow thick,
interlocking blossoms as if to create a long lacey bridal-like veil to guide my
way. It is very ornamental and my imagination can even create bright 4th
of July-like phantom fireworks displays exploding softly and silently as I
pedal along the river road.
(Daucus
carota) Queen Anne’s lace is said to have been named after Queen Anne of
England and Ireland (1665-1718), who was an expert lace maker. Legend has it
that when pricked with a needle, a single drop of blood fell from her finger
onto the lace, leaving the dark purple floret found in the flower’s center. She
had frailties making her somewhat delicate like the flower or weed named after
her. Even Queen Anne furniture has beautiful and delicate styling to go with
her lacy flowerets. The root of the flower is the wild carrot, often used in
soups.
God’s
incredible creations for our enjoyment have crowning features like the Queen
Anne Lace or the pink and purple Crown Vetch that line many other highways and
byways throughout this region of the Upper Midwest. The Ping-Pong ball sized
flower clusters and their dense growth serves for erosion control.
I just
returned from a second bike ride today on the same road. In the pre-dawn hours
I could see the elegant Queen Anne’s lace rising up at least three feet.
However, I did not see the periwinkle blue Chicory flowers at there feet. Now
they are very visible and distinct.
Again what a special plant God has created for us to enjoy. Chicory leaves and roots are used as a
vegetable. Roasted roots are ground and brewed. Chicory is a sedative with
potential cardioactive properties. Chicory's oligosaccharides are probiotic and
are beneficial in maintaining healthy GI flora. Inulin type fractions of the
plant may help certain conditions including constipation, diarrhea, cancer, and
cardiovascular disease. Chicory has also been noted as an appetite stimulant
and for dyspepsia.
I am reminded of many trips to New Orleans where my employer’s
headquarters were established. Although we did not move there, we did enjoy the
cuisine and the chicory coffee unique to the Cajun cuisine in our country. I
love the Cafe du Monde beignets
and chicory coffee with its sharp and distinctive taste and smell along with the
savory spices of Jambalaya and other creole dishes.
It is
amazing how God brings us plants for beauty and practical uses too. All of
God’s creatures should be useful for something and not just look pretty or not.
He has made everything with a delicate balance that man has often ruined in the
name of progress. That is why we continue to enjoy traveling to see our
National Parks and the incredible displays of grandeur and grace from oceans,
deserts, meadows, forests and oceans.
Since
the beginning of creation God has called it all good and commanded us to look
over and take care of all creation for it declares His glory.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.