Sunday Survivors

This morning I did my second turn as one of the acolytes at church, assisting at communion. This time I was being acolyte 1 on the left as you look at the altar. This entails doing a few slightly different things to acolyte 2 on the right, which I did two weeks ago. I survived the experience quite well, this time making only one mistake - I handed the Rector the smaller silver jug containing only water first instead of the bigger one which held the wine to be consecrated in the chalices. Thankfully she handled my error so deftly that nobody in the congregation noticed. Oh well, one learns from one’s mistakes. Next duty is in two weeks’ time.

My blip shows a floral survivor in these days of fast approaching winter. Silene (or Lychnis) coronaria, the Rose Campion, grows all along the fence to one side of my driveway. Most of it has died back, but I noticed this one bright flower clinging on cheerfully. I must cut it all down soon, shaking out the seeds as I do so to continue spreading it. I love that it’s so easy to propagate and requires no skill to care for other than deadheading. Its vivid pink flowers look gorgeous en masse in the summer. Historically, its roots were sought after in Ancient Greece to concoct herbal remedies for digestive issues and respiratory problems. Its seeds, soaked in wine, were recommended by the Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides as a treatment for scorpion stings. Its leaves were used as lamp wicks. In Christian lore, Rose Campion was seen as the 'eye of Christ', and some say it's a talisman against evil spirits. It represents love and beauty across various cultures. In art, music and poetry, Rose Campion has been a symbol of femininity and allure. I can quite see why.