ODE TO THE GOLDENROD
Brenda Kay Ledford
Each autumn I suffer allergies. I blame it on the
goldenrod that dots the fields, meadows, and roadsides in northern
Georgia. They wave their golden-pyramid heads in the wind and herald the
arrival of fall. I think these wildflowers are beautiful, but some folks
just call them weeds.
My mama loved fall. She said it was a beautiful
season, but sad. She was dreading the thoughts of winter coming on the
heels of autumn. She loved to get outdoors, work in the garden, and
couldn't stand the thoughts of being confined indoors during winter. She
occupied the long, dreary days by quilting. I still have her quilts and
they bring back precious memories of the loving hands that made the Lone Star
Quilt, Double Wedding Ring, and the Log Cabin Quilt.
I savor this colorful season in the Blue Ridge
Mountains. It seems the leaves change colors overnight. The walnuts
turn first, then the dogwoods wear red berries like the earbobs my mama wore to
church. The golden poplars, scarlet maples, and oaks join the parade with
their bright banners. The wild geese wedge over the water-colored
ridgeline honking their bugles. They give the signal that it's time to
migrate down South.
It's a joy to catch the last glimpse of the Monarch
butterflies as they gear up for their long journey to Mexico. It's sad to
see the butterflies and wild geese leave, but I look forward to the hope come
spring they will come again. It's just a temporary parting.
Back to the goldenrod, maybe it gets a bad rep.
Some people don't get seasonal allergies. They say if you take a teaspoon
of honey each day, that will keep you from having allergies. My neighbor
lady has bees, and I get sourwood honey from her each year. Folks suggest
that you get honey locally because that works best to ward off these sneezing,
coughing, runny nose spells.
So much for the goldenrod. It may cause allergies,
but I still think they are beautiful, bright wildflowers that add so much to
this colorful season.
The Goldenrod
She dots the country sides,
and heralds awesome autumn.
Wishing my blogger friends a fantastic fall!
Blessings,
Brenda
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