The Forest Primeval

Spring in Florida. Pollen everywhere. Greens getting stronger. Some Fall red leaves remain to add contrast. Then a little painterly color adjustment. Temperature today was PERFECT - 72 F. at midday down to 55 F. in the evening. All windows and doors open wide.

I am extremely fortunate to own 2 acres of natural Florida. When I built the house the instructions to the contractor were to clear only enough of the scrub for the house footprint. What you see is a partial view from the west deck which is 12 feet off the ground. The forest is primarily comprised of oaks (live oak Quercus virginiana and laurel oak Quercus laurifolia), palmetto (saw) palms Serenoa repens (they live up to the saw name as the leaf petiole is armo(u)red with small "saws" that draw blood easily as one brushes against them), wax myrtle Myrica cerifera (the wax from the seeds of this pant is used to make Bayberry candles if you are so inclined to such cottage industry), red swamp maple Acer rubrum and Yaupon Ilex vomitoria (yes, vomitoria. The leaves and stems of this holly were used by the Native Americans in the region to make "black drink" - a purgative societal beverage during council meetings to purify the members by vomiting. A note from my Mother, the RN, "It is the basis for the pharmaceutical Ipecac which is still used to induce vomiting in hospitals.")

A little Black Drink history. No exact recipe but you can get the idea. So put on your loin cloth, get out the cooking pot and - the toughest part of the custom - find a virgin. Let the ceremonial barfing begin. It is so romantic to watch your partner's neck constrict just before projectile hurling.