Day before yesterday I was doing a quick clean-up of the house. I was vacuuming (or as my oldest used to say when he was little “backingume”). Anyhoo, I can get sort of into my own world and also in a “mood” while I’m cleaning. I looked up to see Daniel, now 21, saying over the noise, ”TURN THAT OFF.”
Couldn’t he see I was backingume?!!! I mean, really.
So I cut the vacuum cleaner off and said in an irritated tone sweetly, “Yes?’
My sweet boy said, “Mom, I know how you love plants and I’ve been seeing this plant down by the river when I fish and I thought you might like a look at it. He’d brought me a branch of this:
Would you just LOOK at those red thorns? What is this? I wondered. Some of the thorns were every bit of 2 inches long and the large thorns had little side thorns coming off of them.
I was so impressed that he knew I’d want to see this amazing plant. He also knew I’d likely not make it down to the river to fish anytime soon. 
I had not a clue as to what this might be. I’d never seen anything like it. Of course, Hubby knew right away. “Yellow locust,” he said. “Well some type of locust.”
I researched. He’s right. It is a locust tree. I’d hate to have to climb one!
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Dear Lynn,
Wow, those are some big thorns there! I would’ve guessed locust, too. I used to live in a town that had a locust tree with a large cluster of thorns sticking menacingly out toward the sidewalk. I wondered if any bicyclist met his doom on that tree!
Love,
Marqueta
Hi Lynn,
I’ve heard that Locust makes a great firewood. When cured the pieces just burn and burn for a long while. Maybe ’cause of all those red thorns:)
~Hope Clark
What an interesting plant. What a very sweet and thoughtful son! Love surprises like that!
I missed seeing you today too friend. Hopefully soon!
love
Leslie
I agree…what a thoughtful son! I’ve never seen a plant like that before. Ouch!
Your hubby reminds me of my grandfather. It is really nice to have a guy around that knows all about the native plants. It makes me think we should get a North Carolina bird book and a North Carolina plant and tree book.
Marqueta, I thought you might know! I was a bit surprised that I’d never seen one, but apparently they are right here in the neighborhood! Where have I been?
Hope, that’s interesting.
Leslie, I missed you too — so much. I hope things are better there today. You’ve had a lot on you this summer.
Susan, yes — ouch! That’s what I was thinking!
Ken, Thomas does know a lot of nature facts, though I’m more familiar with which weeds in the yard are edible.
Lynn
It’s great to see how your son at 21 still has interest in his momma! I pray that my son will continue to think of me in little ways like that as he continues to ‘grow.’
(((although, he is a beautiful teenager right now and I can find myself still smothering him with kisses, I won’t lie…. I do sometimes daydream about when he will be married, LOL !)))
~ Deanna