Update on Rue Reaction
Written by admin on June 10th, 2008For my sweet, concerned friends, an update on the blisters and burns I got from my largest rue plant. This has definitely been eye-opening for me! When I first noticed the “burns,” my last thought would have been a plant. It was my husband who noted that they looked like chemical burns and asked what kind of plants I’d been around. When we put our heads together, we realized I had been around the rue he had just cut.
The burns are healing, but you can definitely tell that they look more like burns than, say, a poison ivy rash or bites of some kind. They are beginning to itch, and they do hurt when I get out in the heat. I won’t try and take pictures of both entire arms, but it’s just sweeps of burns up and down both arms from brushes against the foliage, which was weeping, I’m sure. I just didn’t notice it at the time, in the sweltering heat.
Someone asked about rue, and here it is, above. Its foliage is a bluish-green. It’s very pretty. This time of year it has yellow flowers. My rue is often covered in parsleyworms which turn into the black swallowtail butterflies.
Above is a picture of Princess of the Universe holding a piece of rue with a parsleyworm on it. Neither of us has ever seemed sensitive to rue, but I did read that there’s a difference in sensitivy to the outer plant parts (on minimal contact) and the phytophotosensitivity that occurs when the sap gets on the skin and is exposed to the sun. I have always put warnings on my website about using care when handling rue. Who knew I’d be the one to get the burns! 
Anyhoo… Today in the garden, this lovely leaf-footed bug, some kind of Acanthocephala, I think. Anyone know for sure?
Here he is head on.
I wanted to thank him (her) for sitting so still to be photographed. Very kind.
There is a yucca plant in bloom on the border of our property. It was planted by the previous resident here. I would not have planted yucca myself, but it’s nice to have, I suppose. I like yucca, but they somehow look out of place in this landscape. Do you think so?
On a more domestic note, I worked on my cleaning schedule, finally, and have worked it out I think. My cleaning schedule page will be updated, having been arranged around my new work schedule.
And actually, my cleaning schedule is going to be cut to a minimum. I think the simple rule, “a place for everything and everything in its place” is beautiful. I also think utility is beautiful. I don’t mind useful piles and necessary clutter. When one is done for the moment, however, a neat stack of books is so much more beautiful than a trail of books strew across the room until one decides to get to them again.
On my way to a business meeting in Raleigh today, I stopped at World Market. (Thank you so much Demeca for telling me about this store.) I found this pretty fan that is now sitting in a high-up nook in my bathroom. It will be used, but is pretty here while waiting to be used. Perhaps it will inspire some hairstyles.
I also picked up a book for my son Joseph. Well, he can have it when I’m done poring over it.
Bamboo Style: Exteriors, Interiors, Details (Icons)
I’m looking at the beautiful pictures — these two are from the “details” section - -to get ideas for the Japanese garden Joseph and I will make.
Lynn
The Hundred Dresses
The Family Under the Bridge
Caddie Woodlawn. With the Wisconsin big woods theme, goes along great with a FIAR study of The Raft.
A Year Down Yonder
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning: A Story for Mother Culture. Sweet fictional story about a newly homeschooling mother who incorporates nature study.
Nature Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make With Mother Nature's Help
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady
The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way
A Redbird Christmas: A Novel
The Usborne Internet-Linked Book of Knowledge
What Your Fifth Grader Needs to Know
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
10
PM
Oh, that reaction looks very uncomfortable!
At first glance, I thought your bug was a ’stink’ bug. I’m not sure at all, however.
I hope your ‘burns’ clear up soon!
Deborah
10
PM
Deborah, a stink bug is what my daughter said. I did some searching around. I’m not totally sure yet, but I just love reading about the bugs in the garden. I do think it’s a leaf-footed bug. Whatever it is, it’s pretty cool.
Lynn
10
PM
Hi again…. I am the person who asked you about the rue…. I am going to check my yard to see if I have anything like that as it looks familiar… I had spots here and there some on my ankles and a few near my wrists…
there were blisters … really itched like mad… I took some stuff called skin shield and put it on them … it kept them protected and has an antiseptic also… its like a thick clear nail polish… they healed well and quickly.. the itching was the worst part…..I just put the skin shield on every single day and it really helped a lot..
I appreciate your clarifying what rue is… thank you
As for the bug.. not sure about that one
Thanks
JO
11
AM
I love World market..when I lived in CO I used to have one very close…not sure where the closest one is here in WA.
Sorry about your burns..thats good to know though..
Clutter drives me insane yet I can’t outrun it!
Hugs,
Robin
11
AM
I hope things are better today, Lynn. I did a quick search on stink bugs and I’m still not sure about what you found. Some are brown and other are green.
If you are up for a short Meme tag, please check my post for today.
Hugs,
Deborah
11
AM
Hello Lynn,
Ouch that looks like it really hurts,and I hope that it heals up soon. I know I don`t want that plant in my yard then,even it it is a pretty flower!!
Enjoy your day!!
11
AM
Jo, I hope the picture helped you!
Robin, clutter makes me crazy, too, in a way, but I can handle controlled clutter. It’s when my house starts looking like a rummage sale that I go mad!
Deborah, thank you! Sure I’m up for a meme!
Vicki, we’ll surely have to meet one of these days.
Lynn
11
PM
Oh my, I didn’t know a plant could give you burns!
Your post about neccessary clutter made me feel so much better…. I have much necessary clutter in my house. …. especially homeschoool clutter.
Love your Chinese fan. I picked up several of these while I was in China!
Patricia
11
PM
Hi, Patricia! Yes, I have clutter. It gets the best of me sometimes! Other times I’m okay with it. Hormones perhaps?
Lynn