I Smelled the Gun Powder

I Smelled the Gun Powder

Just this week in the blazing heart of summer a gentle breeze began to blow. It was just enough to give you the hint of an early fall day. Just enough to make me think of dove hunting with my friends. I realized although I love the summer, I live for fall. I remembered the excitement of someone calling, "Bird! Bird!" I almost heard someone yell, "Good Shot Rob-bay!" I almost tasted the dust of the field. The great God in heaven has given me a memory. He has given me a field, a bird, and a friend. Maybe that is why that cool breeze made my eyes scan the sky. Maybe it was because I could smell the gun powder.

A Unique Find

Recently while at Indian Creek Youth Camp in Oakman Alabama with the Walker County Wildlife Team, the county agent noticed a unique plant. It is called the Trillium. Only the agent knew what it was at first glance and he was quite pleased to find it. After further research I found out the Trillium is a rather peculiar and beautiful plant. Very habitat specific, it lives under the forest canopy among the understory. It is not widely found in garden shops due to the specific requirement of it's habitat. There are many different varieties of the plant and they all have wonderful flowers in the spring. Thinking about the Trillium, I realized I had not stopped in a long while and looked at the ground. I have not wondered enough about the things around me. I do not know what natural medicines are available. I do not know what this or that plant is. I do not know which plants have what color flowers. Where this unique Trillium resides is just off the main road leading to the camp ball field. No less than 150 people travel by this plant daily and no one even notices. Probably not even when it is in full bloom. If the county agent had not pointed it out, it would have been a weed to me. I don't see a flower. We know where Wal-Greens and CVS are though if we need something. What if.....? What if we had to make do? What if we had to survive? Could we? Not that this plant is used for medicinal purposes but the point is, I don't know what this plant is used for or any other plant for that matter. I didn't stop and say, "Hey look, there is a Trillium." I depend on corporations who depend on money more that anything else, myself and my kids included. I feel a duty and responsibility to look around me and know where I live. I need to know what is available. If I pick it up off the ground is it any less effective than if it comes out of a bottle from the drug store? Is it a liability issue that I trust the drug companies and if for some reason something goes wrong, I can sue them? Why don't I look at this plant and tell my kids, "This plant is a Trillium and it has the most beautiful flower." Would they even care? It would matter to them if it mattered to me. Well, it matters to me. I want to thank this little Trillium for a kick in the pants. It was truely a unique find.