A Dandy Day

America's flower. 5/3/20 (dwm)

  It's National Dandelion Day.  It's early for the little blots of yellow in our part of Wisconsin, but it won't surprise me to see them in the next week.

 Before we thought of them as weeds, they were the flowers we could give to our best girl, our mom.  She placed them in a colorful Dixie cup in the kitchen window.

 If no chemicals are used on your lawn or neighbors, you can eat them.  The leaves are a tasty addition to salads.  (Yes, I was surprised I liked them.)

 Experts say the plucky plant is a good source of vitamins A, B, C, and D.  Native Americans used them for medicinal purposes.

 Like the snow it replaces on our lawns - the dandelion is prettiest the first time it appears.  When you see the third or fourth generation pop through the grass in August, it isn't quite as special.

The only recommended observation of Dandelion Day is to avoid picking or plucking them.  

If you're like me with no access to the little drop of sunshine today, when you see your first this year, be sure to rub one under your chin.  If your skin turns yellow, you like butter.