What I Would do if I Defended Dandelions

In my childhood home, I would always know the second spring had actually arrived. How, you may ask? Well, because of my father's anguished cry:

"They're back!!!"

Yes, he was referring to the beautiful, bright yellow weeds that had popped up all over our lawn, bestowing a bit of cheeriness to the sneeze-fest that grass brings. I am allergic to grass, which makes me slightly biased, but that's not the point.

The point is, what's not to love?

I would not suggest trying to drink nectar out of the bottom. My older sister told me it was milk when I was a child. Drinking it was not a wise decision.

However, that's really the one downside.

I mean, it's really a happy plant that livens up the dullest of lawns (assuming it doesn't kill all of the grass).

The cheery yellow colour can stain your skin if you rub the dandelion heads against your arm: free, natural dye!

I also hear that dandelions can be pretty good in tea and salad, but I'm a bit reluctant to try that after my last attempt at ingesting them. I'd much rather admire them and the beauty they bring to a lawn.

Of course, though, the best part is when they die and turn into balls of fairy dust. I think everyone has tried to recreate this iconic moment:

If you haven't, you're lying, you had a terrible childhood, or you're boring (sorry).

You spread the seeds and make a wish. Nothing is more satisfying than watching the dandelion seeds fly away on the wind or your breath.

So, I'm sorry, dandelions, that you get so little love. I think you're pretty great.

-Laura