Dandelions

When Life Throws You Dandelions, Make Dandelion Wine

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I have a confession. 

I love dandelions. 

Thanks to our unseasonably warm weather this week, a few of these little, golden sun droplets decided to bloom out around the yard. 

Dandelions are pretty misunderstood. But they can be either good or bad, depending on your point of view. 

Not unlike most things that cause us trouble. 

Did you know dandelions have some amazing benefits?

Dandelions are more than just speckles on the lawn. 

They provide some of the first food for bees after a long, hungry winter. 

Dandelions make helpful companion plants to some vegetables and flowers. They help break up hard soil, and have even been known to stop fusarium in tomato plants. 

Dandelion greens are a nutritious food for humans, too. They are high in vitamin A, vitamin K and vitamin C (as well as other vitamins and minerals.) They are anti-oxidant and make a great addition to traditional salad greens. 

Dandelions are medicinal. The plant is most famous for the gentle laxative produced from the roots. 

​And of course, you can make dandelion wine. ​

 
The appearance of these dandelions was actually very timely. Things have not been going as well as planned this year, so far. And, to be perfectly honest, this month has seen the lowest online income I have had in four years. 

Part of that is because I stopped working on Fiverr for awhile. But the main blow has been via the ad networks and affiliate sales. I only made $0.03 yesterday! I don't think I've earned that little since my first week with Adsense! 

To say that earnings like that are disheartening is an understatement! When I saw this dandelion, I started having uncontrollable philosophical thoughts. You know, stuff like how spring flowers are proof that dark and gloomy times never last forever.

I also thought about how lots of people out there would be totally bummed to see dandelions in their yard, and how really, the only difference between "flowers" and "weeds" is our own perspective. 

Part of my own gloom about only making three meager cents was caused by my own perspective. I'm not miserably failing by only making three cents.

I'm being held back a bit by my terrible internet service...which is no fault on my part. Instead of sulking..., I should be happy that a brand new website is earning anything at all. Especially when I can't spend as much time as needed to boost it up. 

So here are some tips and lessons related to dandelions and positivity in general): 

1. Plant dandelions near your tomatoes. Because fusarium is nasty business. 

2. Eat lots of dandelions. They may help prevent Alzheimer's. 

3. Remember to spread your seeds (of wisdom) as far and as often as you can. 

4. Just because you aren't the most popular flower, doesn't mean you can't just as helpful. 

5. When you are being overshadowed by bigger, prettier flowers; spend your energy breaking new ground. 

6. Work with others for mutual benefits. 

7. Remember that somewhere, you are someone's favorite. 

8. Show up in unexpected places. 

9. Don't be afraid to bloom while others are sleeping. 

10. And above all...when life throws you dandelions, make dandelion wine. Because only ordinary people make lemonade. 

Never made dandelion wine? Here are a couple of recipes to try. If you don't have enough flowers, ask your neighbors. They probably won't mind you weeding their yard at all!  (just remember to leave some dandelions for the bees): 

Dandelion Wine Instructions from Wine Makers Shop

​Dandelion Wine Recipe and Tips from Common Sense Home