Desmodium

Beggar's Lice

Desmodium/Beggar's Lice

I've been researching a little this morning. After reading my grandaughter’s latest blog entry on The Right Side of 30, "We're All Tourist Here, Aren't We?", I wanted to find something that I could use to relate to her most recent tale. I think I found it in Desmodium, better known as beggar's lice. That's something I'm familiar with because its quite plentiful in our area. One trip through my flowerbeds or backyard is a good indication of this. The little seedpod can attach itself to any fabric and hold on like a drowning man to a toothpick. There's no weight involved and unless there's a cluster it can go unnoticed by the average individual. It just sits there reveling in its sojourn into the travels of its host. Now the name "beggar's lice" leaves something to be desired but, if you call it by its botanical name of "Desmodium", it doesn't sound so bad after all. In fact, when I first saw that name, I immediately thought of Desdemona of Shakespeare's Othello which gives it a wee touch of class. Now that I've given my explanation I'll go on with my entry into today's thoughts for my journal.

How I would love to be a small seedpod of Desmodium sitting on Lauren's shoulder in her travels. She visits places and sees things I know I will never see. Then I think of how fortunate I am to have a granddaughter who can paint pictures with words and make them so realistic that in my mind's eye I am there with her.