Monday, October 24, 2011

Turning the World's Worst Weed into the Best Bouquet

As I walk in the field, I pick my way around the worst weed.  The farmer tells me it's called Velvetleaf, and, as far as crop weeds go, it's an absolute terror:  competitive, nutrient-draining, murderous of other plants, and just plain ugly.   


Velvetleaf in the Field

You can't destroy Velvetleaf.  The seeds stay viable in the earth for over 50 years.  Impervious to weed killer--even the strongest herbicides--this damaging, noxious plant represents a farmer's nightmare. 

My mother sees something different. 

Velvetleaf

With an eye for beauty, she asks the farmer if we might take a few stalks.  He laughs out loud and shakes his head.  "You don't want that stuff," he insists.  "Even one seed pod dropped on your lawn will destroy it, and you won't be able to get rid of it."

"We would like some," she says as he continues to laugh. 

Back home, my mother takes a vase and builds the most beautiful bouquet to fill out the corner behind my piano. 


You take a weed--even an ancient one that can last generations--and you turn it into something beautiful. 

If you can't destroy it, make it beautiful. 

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Journal:  Have you ever made something beautiful out of what others consider worthless?