Friday, November 7, 2014

Take Time to Smell the Roses and Check for Four Leaf Clovers



Late fall is slipping by quickly across the country. I like to look through the pictures I’ve taken of the plants that defy winter’s kiss of death by resurrecting themselves in the spring, once more sending a joyful display of color.

Splashes of golden yellow faithfully appear from the brambles out back shortly before summer. Sometimes they are the only positive note against the snow that longer, warmer days are indeed on the way. It’s vital to draw near enough to smell the delicate fragrance. The challenge is avoiding the sharp thorns that persistently present themselves along each long stem. Beauty admired from afar is often the case for this particular rose bush.



My dad and I used to go walking across the lawn looking for four leaf clovers. At age 7, I had no clue what good luck was, but knew it was on the way if I found that special clover. The Druids believed that traditional three-leaf shamrocks had the power to let them see evil spirits. The timely warning allowed them to escape the danger. The uncommon four leaf clovers warded off bad luck and magically protected the bearer.


I found a five leaf clover during our search one morning and marked the spot with a twig. When he arrived home from work, I grabbed his hand and drug him to my find, chattering all the way. He moved the clovers aside tenderly and slowly counted the leaves. He explained that clovers with more than 4 leaves were bad luck when picked, so we left it attached to the plant. I understood bad luck, which meant tripping over a shoe lace when they worked their way lose or falling down on the bicycle. 

Simple things like extraordinary rose bushes and clover plants remain great ways to share beauty and folklore with any child. The memories will last for decades. Take time to share a few minutes with a special kid today. Smell the roses and check for four leaf clovers.

17 comments:

  1. I love the memories. We haven't hunted for four leaf clovers yet with our son, but I know it'll be fairly memorable when the time comes.

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  2. Is that true that 4 leaf clovers are bad luck if they're picked or did you just make that up to tell him lol. I have never found one, but I would totally pick it.

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  3. We try to take time to smell the roses each and every day! So important to spend time with the kiddos!

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  4. I love family memories like this. I've never found a clover with more than 3 leaves and didn't know that more than 4 leaves is bad luck. That is good info to have.

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  5. Great memories! I have lots with my grandma a few times she found 4 leave clovers, but I never have!

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  6. I spent a ton of time as a child trying to find a four leaf clover and never did. It's really kinda neat you found a five leaf one.

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  7. I like finding four-leaf clover. Thought that was supposed to be lucky?

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  8. I remember looking for 4 leaf clovers. Great memories.

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  9. My Grampa could always find a four leaf clover, anywhere. I was always amazed at his ability to so and so quickly. I on the other hand would always cheat and he knew it. LOL Pick up a 3 leaf clover and hold a fourth leaf on it, it was a fun silly kid joke with him. I agree that we need to stop and relax more, and flowers are a great way alongside clovers to do so!

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  10. These are great memories. We love to go on nature walks and see what we can find.

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  11. I didn't know all of the good luck bad luck rules with a four leaf clover. But it is always fun if you can manage to find a four leaf clover.

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  12. My boys were just talking about finding clovers the other day! What great memories.

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  13. I've never even heard of a five-leaf clover, how cool. I remember searching for a four leaf one when I was little. Never found one though. :)

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  14. I used to search for them a lot as a kid. I should try to find a 4 leaf clover for my boy

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  15. Such great memories. Kiddo and I search for them. I am always looking. It's the Irish in me.

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  16. I haven't went out and looked for 4 leaf clovers since I was a kid. I need to do this with my four year old - he would enjoy the search!

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  17. I love looking for flowers and clovers when I can! What a nice way to enjoy your surroundings.

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