Summer brings the abundant gift of many kinds of flowers, and, so, it was not unlikely a friend and I would begin reminiscing recently about games we played as children with various blossoms and plants in our childhood gardens. Here are the ones we most readily recalled.
Daisy chains
“Daisy chain” by User Ecrips on en.wikipediaWho has not spent time sitting in the grass lacing daisies together into a lovely chain, which one could then decide how to use–as a bracelet, a necklace, or, if long enough, as a crown in our hair? What a lovely memory.
Wishing on dandelions
It actually tickles me as an adult that I would blithely and most happily pick a dandelion as a child and feel no guilt whatsoever in blowing their seeds into the wind, scattering them to neighbors’ gardens, focusing solely on the granted wishes they might bring me and the sheer delight of watching them drift away in the breeze. Ha!
Blowing across a blade of grass
Long ago, Aboriginal people discovered that blowing across a blade of grass placed between the thumb and index finger produced a musical sound. This childhood delight was most likely our first experience of making and using a “primitive” wind instrument! The memory of this brings a smile to my lips. Yours, too?
Hollyhock dolls
Hollyhock dolls are one of our earliest garden delights! Did your mother or grandmother teach you how? You pick a bud for the head, a half opened blossom for the core and a fully opened blossom for the skirt. They are assembled readily with a toothpick here and there. I’m guessing I have readers who are grandmothers who have passed this garden loveliness on to their grandchildren. Right? ๐
Finding four-leaved clovers
When I mentioned to my daughter I was internally composing this post she immediately suggested searching for four-leaved clovers, which she loved to do as a child. Four leaved clovers are simply a variation of the more common three leaved clover. If one finds one “by accident” it’s regarded as special, bringing good luck. The four leaves are believed to represent faith, hope, love, and luck. I would regard this as a particularly endearing and positive garden game to introduce to the children in our care.
What were your favorite flower games in the garden? I’d love to hear.
Love and summer blessings,
Kathryn xoxo
Book News: An excerpt from Plant Whatever Brings You Joy is running in the summer issues of both GreenPrints (North Carolina publication) and GreenWoman magazine. Also, I want to thank each one of you who has taken the time to post your wonderful reviews of Plant Whatever Brings You Joy on my Amazon page. So appreciated! You have no idea how this warms an author’s heart! ๐
Posted on July 21st, 2014 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Play
Chidren used to hold a dandelion blossom under one another’s chin, asking “Do you like Butter?” The yellow of the dandelion reflects and yes, we all like butter.
Lovely, mom! Great summer post, as this time of year is so wonderful for outdoor games.
Love you,
Antonia
Xoxo
Hi, Jean Campbell, and welcome! Yes, thank you for reminding us of this one! We used buttercups, too! Lovely! Kathryn xoxo
Hi, Antonia, Indeed! Outdoor games are the best! Love, Mom xoxo
The blade of grass whistle and the four-leaf clover hunt. We made chains from white clovers which were much more common than daisies in our grass, but picked the petals off daisies for “loves me, loves me not”.
Hi, Julie! Oh, yes! Love me, loves me not! And, interestingly, friend Carol just left this comment on my FB fan page: “Kathryn, our chains were made of clover flowers. I passed this fun garden tradition on to several of my 2nd grade students. Ah yes, what fun to make duck calls from a blade of grass! Thank you for recalling all of these sweet past times that each generation is hopefully learning and sharing.” So, there are others, Julie, who made those clover chains as children! I never learned that one, and now want to try. ๐
Thanks for sharing your memories! Love, Kathryn xoxo
I was searching for info about wild violets after seeing the first great spangled fritillary on my coneflower. Everything was how to kill them with pesticides….. I have monarch caterpillars eating away upstairs after fighting to keep my property pesticide free…. I am going to order your book…. Michelle
Enjoyed remembering all these activities. Always a pleasure to read your mail.
Good morning, Michelle, and welcome! Yes, folks searching out wild violets often land here. ๐ It’s an effort to remain pesticide-free, isn’t it? Good for you for making that a priority! All the little critters thank you. And thank you so much for ordering my book. Enjoy! Kathryn xoxo
Hi, Alice! Glad you enjoyed the walk through memory lane in the garden! Kathryn xoxo
Wonderful memories – I remember my mother holding a buttercup under my chin to see if I liked butter – yes, I did, and so did she! I loved to braid pine needles (that came in a group of 3) just for the fun of it. I strung rose buds and made little crowns – the pink ones were my favorite. And I strung our pink and while oleander flowers to made leis, because there were so many flowers on the bushes, I could pick all I wanted. I just love flowers! Thanks for the memories!
Hi, Maloah! These are all wonderful childhood memories. I especially love the idea of stringing pink rose buds to make crowns! Beautiful! Love, Kathryn xoxo