Before the thunderstorms and torrential rains of yesterday afternoon and evening arrived, I visited the back forty. The back forty has a central grassy area that we mow, but the rest of it is wild, including the woods. The edges of the grassy area are filled with all sorts of wildflowers and berries and herbs, as well as mullein and milkweed – and the ubiquitous poison ivy, of course.
This is mullein. It’s a member of the snapdragon family, with fuzzy leaves and a long spike that can grow very tall. This particular plant is about 5 feet tall, but we’ve had mulleins that were almost as tall as Don (and he’s 6’4″.) It has long been used herbally; sometimes as a tea that helps with respiratory problems, and with its anti-inflammtory properties, it was often made into leaf poultices for the treatment of various illnesses.
Pretty yellow flowers appear just about this time of year and last through most of the summer.
I counted at least 14 mulleins growing around the perimeter of the back forty – more than I’ve ever seen before. I also saw a lovely mullein on our trail walk the other day.
We also have milkweed, which, as you know, is the only plant on which the caterpillar that eventually will change into the Monarch Butterfly lives. This year, the milkweed is tucked further back in the wild part of the property, so I could only get a photo from a distance. I did, however, look closely at the milkweed that was nearest to me, hoping to see a caterpillar. I never have, darn it!
Lots of black raspberries everywhere. When they are red, like these, they aren’t ripe enough to eat. When they turn ‘black,’ they are. We picked a few the other day and they are delicious!
I found another yarrow.
And this guy:
Don has a gig this afternoon, but otherwise, we’re laying low this weekend. As you know, I’m not one to do much in the form of holiday decorating. I don’t fly the flag or hang bunting or decorate in red, white, and blue. (Although I miss watching the Boston Pops and the fireworks over the Charles River – that was always so moving.) But this time of year does bring some very special dates: tomorrow is my dear sister’s birthday, the 4th is the anniversary of the day Don and I met, and the 5th is my brother-in-law’s birthday.
Of course, I’ll try to find a new way to share the story of that Fateful Fourth, 22 years ago. Tune in Monday for that one.
Happy Saturday.
Doris says
The pictures look very peaceful after last nights thunder storm. Take care.
Claudia says
That was a doozy, wasn’t it, Doris?
Shanna says
These are dragon flies, no? There are so many different kinds and they’ve always fascinated me. We have several in NY, but many more kinds in Florida, where I frequently come upon a dead one, perfectly dried, wings splayed. I cant bear to throw them out and so I’ve been known to perch them on vases or shells around the house. Son-in-law insists that if you see one, it means rain is on the way!
Claudia says
I think they are and wouldn’t you know it? I saw it right before the rain!
Linda @ A La Carte says
It’s so nice you have a wild area of your property. I love that. Nice photos. Enjoy a quiet weekend. I’m resting and feeling good.
hugs,
Linda
Claudia says
Keep on resting, Linda. xoxo
Mary D. says
I love mullein. It’s like a connection to the past. I’ve been fascinated with it since reading that its use as a torch dates back to Roman times. I always let a few grow in my garden.
Have a peaceful weekend.
Claudia says
Yes, and I read today that it was used as wick for candles, as well. Makes sense!
Betsy says
Well, now I know the name of that plant. Mullein. I’ve seen it, but never knew the name. Lots of special days this weekend for you and your family Claudia. I hope you enjoy the long weekend. I know my husband and I are. He took an extra vacation day on Friday, so we have four days at the lake. Fun times!
Blessings,
Betsy
Claudia says
Have fun at the lake, Betsy – it sounds heavenly! The one thing I’ve always wished for is to live on a lake. Ah, well!
Donnamae says
Where the wild things are…the back forty! In the past…I’ve had mullein as a volunteer….not this year though. We are going to have a relaxing weekend as well….no plans. Enjoy yours! ;)
Claudia says
Relax, take it easy and enjoy your weekend, Donna! (I seem to have mullein every year, without fail!)
monica says
I can’t wait!
On the news last evening they did a story on the Mullien.
We have a couple in our back yard this year and they are kind of pretty.
You can get a flesh eating rash from those weeds. A horrible rash
much worse than poison ivy. So beware.
It was pretty scary to watch. This must be a super year for them to grow.
They seem to be everywhere. Yikes!
Have a nice relaxing weekend.
Monica
Claudia says
I’ve read that the hairs on the leaves can give you a rash, but I can’t find anything about it being ‘flesh eating’ – irritating, yes, and maybe it’s like poison ivy, though I’ve never heard of anyone getting a rash from it.
DONNA says
How I’d love a back forty with deer and bunnies and groundhogs! Heaven!
You mentioned the Boston Pops and the fireworks over the Charles. Both of my girls will be on the Charles in kayaks watching the fireworks. This will be Amanda’s 5th year in a row doing it, and Courtney’s first. I’m sure they will have an incredible time!
Wishing you and Don a Happy 4th weekend!
Claudia says
Thank you, Donna. I used to love watching the fireworks and hearing the Pops! Hope your girls have fun!
Trudy Mintun says
First of all Claudia you do not need to find a new way to tell the story of how you and Don met. It is a great story. I have read it year after year and still love it. My true love story is similar. Maybe someday you will get to read it (if I ever get back to blogging).
Second, is yarrow the same as golden rod? Golden rod here in Minnesota can give people with seasonal allergies a very difficult time breathing. It is a pretty plant but…
Claudia says
No, yarrow isn’t the same as goldenrod, Trudy. We get goldenrod occasionally as well. For me, everything with pollen – and that means trees, flowers and grass – are hard on my allergies. Goldenrod is just one of many things that get me sneezing. xo
Nancy Blue Moon says
I remember the picture of Don standing beside the Mullein..it was nearly as tall as him..I want to plant some milkweed here to help the monarchs…I love the love story of you and Don!..Happy 4th!
Claudia says
I hope this milkweed is helping the Monarchs. As it is, I usually see one or two Monarchs in late summer. Not nearly what I used to see growing up.
Janet in Rochester says
I miss the Boston Pops Fourth of July concerts too. It was really becoming a tradition in my family, and then suddenly you couldn’t find it anywhere on TV. Not PBS, not A&E. No where. A major bummer, because it was always so well-done. It also introduced me to artists I don’t think I’d have heard about otherwise. I’m now a huge Linda Eder fan solely because of this concert.
Claudia says
I miss them on television, but what I really meant was seeing and hearing it all in person when I lived in Boston and Cambridge. That was the perfect way to spend the Fourth!
Vicki says
Your plant descriptions and photos are so interesting. Sort of took me back to a different time, hundreds of years ago, when settlers had to forage and use what they could for food and remedies. I have a distant cousin who recently shared a story with me about our grandmother who had an ancestor of 100% Native American heritage. This great-great-however many greats grandmother (I wrote down the specifics but don’t remember them now; I think my grandmother was one-eighth Creek tribe) passed down lore and ‘cures’. When my cousin was a little boy and asthmatic, our grandma would make up a poultice and put it on his chest, saying it was a ‘recipe’ handed down to her from HER ‘Indian’ grandmother. He said it smelled ‘herb-y” and wild.
Are the woods passable? Do you ever have to worry about squatters? I’ve probably asked that before. It’s a problem in my area sometimes, with vast orchards, some of which are somewhat remote in the hills and canyons; the ranchers have to do a certain amount of regular patrol. There’s usually water access with manmade reservoirs; fruit, of course, from the trees, which also provide shade and a certain shelter…and the occasional old shed. I do imagine your woods are probably both muggy and muddy (buggy) at times. I really know nothing about ‘woods’ or a forest or even lakes and mountains – I’ve always mostly lived in coastal plains emanating from a river valley, closer to sea than not. Is there anything beyond your woods, like something on the other side like another town, or does it back up to a mountain, or what? Trying to visualize!
Claudia says
Never any squatters. Our woods are small but they flow into our neighbor’s woods to the south. To the east, they back up to another neighbor’s fields. I was just walking in them for a brief moment yesterday. We didn’t clear the paths this year like we did last year, which I now regret! We’ll have to do that next spring. Or maybe I’ll do it sooner than that.
Joan says
Claudia, I really look forward to your ‘love story’. So write and/or post whatever version or edition you like, because it will be new a fresh to me. And who doesn’t like a love story with a happy ending?
Mullien is such a useful plant as an herb, but I understand that in Colorado and other areas of the Rockies they fight it tooth and nail because it tries to take over. It is interesting that what is considered useful and even a food or a thing of beauty in one area is thought of as a pest in others.
Have a great weekend!
Claudia says
Well, it does sort of self-seed, but so far, I’m not minding that! Probably because it’s sort of wild back there, so I don’t mind. It’s prettier than the poison ivy that is everywhere!
Julie says
Hi Claudia. We have milkweed here in Western Australia but it looks different from the one you have. It’s a declared weed here and I feel terrible for the Monarchs when our shire council make us remove it. How big is your entire property???? Xx julie
Claudia says
Oh, it’s too bad it has to be removed. Would you get in trouble if you didn’t remove it? Our Monarchs are in danger.
Our property is just under two acres, Julie.
Julie says
Hi Claudia. Thanks for your reply. Yes we can be fined if we don’t try the eradicate the milkweed from our property. It’s very invasive here. The milkweed we have here in Western Australia has big funny looking pods that are full of thousands of fluffy seeds. It’s very windy where we live and the seeds are scattered far and wide. We have just over 3 acres here in the southwest of WA. We live in a small hamlet called Cookernup (aboriginal word for Place of the Swamphen). It’s a dairy and citrus growing district and very pretty. I have 2 horses, lots of chickens and a vegetable garden. We were city dwellers but made our dream come true and moved to the country last year. We built a country style home and I have a wood burning stove in the kitchen. Yours blog is the only one I follow now and enjoy very much. Take care and enjoy your pretty garden. Love Julie
Claudia says
It sounds lovely in your neck of the woods!