We had a surprise visitor. Indian Pipe or as sometimes called the Ghost Plant appeared in our front yard. It is a unique plant that grows out of the decayed residue of other plants. It commands our attention because of its pale appearance. It doesn’t produce chlorophyll and looks waxy and ghostlike. It’s a marvelous addition to our yard and I have no clue how it got here since it has not been here in summers past. A bird or a chipmunk or the wind must have carried the seed to us. Whatever it was I am grateful.
Our world is such an interesting place. There is always something new to learn. I noticed this evening the absence of catbirds, thrushes and ovenbirds. I wonder if they have already moved south. Summer is growing gray around the temples. Labor Day is almost here and many children have already gone back to school. It is a grand time of the year. The leaves on the trees have turned that dark green just before they surrender their chlorophyll and show off their real colors.
I have always enjoyed the ideas in Jeremiah 17:7-8. It reads, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
You can tell Jeremiah never lived in New England. His leaves stayed green forever.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 24, 2003
PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwll.org