Dandelions, PEI is famous for them. There are just so many vigorous Dandelions, that by and large, people on PEI have just about given up trying to control them. Our Capital city is even considering making a bylaw against spraying in the city limits now.However, right now there are a few die hards who fight the annual battle. Personally, I know very few. The Majority have thrown up their hands and just made peace with the pesky plant.
Needless to say, the average lawn on PEI tends to have droves of Dandelions.
My recent trip back to West Africa saw me sharing pictures of my family with some village African friends. A few shots where on the front lawn of our house, of course a nice crop of Dandelions were scattered over the lawn. My African friends immediately zeroed in on, "All pretty flowers we had in Canada." "There were so many of them and they were so yellow." The white poofy ones were extra amazing to them, as I explained they were the same flower ready to send seeds. Also when I explained they grew wild, we did not plant a one of them them, "WOW!" they exclaimed with big eyes. They could not believe so many pretty flowers just grew naturally for us like that. Of course I told them dandelions are a weed, and explained that many people pay money to have them killed with spray. They were horrified to think we would kill such beautiful flowers, and waste good money in the process. I had to swiftly divert the subject, as the concept was just not registering with these rural Africans very well. You see, their yards are swept down to the bare dirt so that poisonous snakes and scorpions can not hide near the mud hut.
Anyway, I for one, don't spend money to, "kill pretty yellow flowers". But it goes to show, that it's all about perspective & attitude. Point of view does make a difference doesn't it? Something to remember; when God made things if nature; for each one God said "It is good". So who am I to question that exclamation with any authority? My African felt we have none. :-)
