A Fine Day for Rain

We have a very nice farmers' field behind our Harris Road House. It's owned and cultivated by Farmer Dean and his dad, Farmer Gary. We especially enjoy this feast-for-the-eyes piece of land for many reasons, some of which change day to day. But one reason that is fixed and unchanging is this: it's a place of visual peace and rest. No matter the weather or condition of the sky, we take it in and are always grateful for this rest stop. It's also a natural built in barrier to the rest of the world; a tinge of separation isn't so bad. The big plus is being able to coax our small garden and orchard along next to a place that has produced liberally for a century; it gives a special sense of satisfaction. 

Today was an especially nice day for field viewing as the rains fell and the thunder rolled.  It's always a great treat when this happens. 

I was minding my own business, preparing, what I hope will be  a nutritious and compatible spot for the lovelies I brought home from Minnesota's North Shore, when it started in sprinkles then proceeded in sheets. Who can resist working in the rain, in the garden, in the mud? Probably plenty of folks, but I'm not one of them. I worked until I'd accomplished my set goal, then with a high sense of satisfaction, extremely wet clothes and very muddy boots I was, less than politely, driven out and into the house.

This seems to be the season of rain as it rained two mornings ago also. I was interested in seeing the post-rain sights and Roux is always ready for an inspection hike down the road, so off we went before the sun baked the asphalt. I saw, and Roux sniffed out, the morning's best. I can't account for Roux's findings, but mine are here for your pleasure.

One of my favorite summer flowers is Chicory. If I could order a custom color eye shade for myself, it would be Chicory Blue. She is a tenacious plant who grows best along hot and dry road or railways and doesn't seem to mind neglect.  She catches my attention every time. I would love to have a yard full of these beauties. 

Soapwort seems like an uncomely name for such a sweet bloom but it speaks of her utilitarian uses. I'm told boiling the stems with the crushed leaves for 15-20 minutes will produce a liquid soap. I will be trying this before the summer's out and will report back to you.

The Western Sunflower is a staple along the roadsides this time of year. She can grow to 5ft in height as she reaches for the sky.

We live in farm country. The hills roll, the fields stretch for miles, only interrupted by roads and stands of trees, and the corn grows. The red silk makes this a fetching ear of corn.

An unassuming and often overlooked plant is this one. She's known by many names but the easiest for me to remember is White Sweet Clover. She's a favorite among pollinators. I think is she so dainty and wispy.

We always knew this plant by the name of Queen Ann's Lace and I loved keeping company with her as I ran the roads in the Upper Peninsula. I'd look for the largest umbrella shaped flower I could find and then take a lot of pictures of her. Farmer Dean seems to think it's a fine idea to grow a small crop of these flowers, which is also known as Wild Carrot, at the edge of our property and in his corn field.

A distinction should be made here between Poison Hemlock and Queen Ann's Lace. They appear to be very similar plants but they are different in distinguishing ways. Poison Hemlock will grow to a height of 10 ft, have purple blotches up and down the stem and the flowers grow in clusters. Whereas Queen Ann grows to about 3 ft in height, has a square shaped, hairy stem without purple blotches, and produces singular flower heads, often with a purple dot in the middle.

Both are toxic to humans in varying degrees. Queen Ann most slightly, but Poison Hemlock is to be avoided at alllll costs.

It's the season to celebrate the fuzzy, brown Cattail, also known as the Bulrush. Where there's a water source, there's a Cattail. This plant has long been used as a food source, all of its parts are edible, but it also doubles as basket material, tinder, and has been used by Native Americans for water 

filtration. Personally, I like to decorate with it.

It's on the days of rain when I can stop and spend time accounting for some of the wonderful treasures I see throughout my day, and today was a good day to do that.

I'm happy to say we have more days of summer weather ahead of us and until the day comes when the flowers fade away and prepare for their long winter's nap, Roux and I will keep a keen eye open for the engaging lovelies as they line the roads, rails and walkways.