Queen Anne's Lace

"wildflower" isn't just another name for native flowers.

This summer, I learned that "wildflower" isn't just a another name for native flowers.

A wildflower, it turns out, is a flowering plant that hasn't been messed with genetically. It's a flower that grows without anyone planting it on purpose. You'll find them popping up in the woods, meadows, mountains, and anywhere they've adapted to grow.

I see a lot of different flowers when I'm hiking in the woods. Some are native, and some are non-native. Native plants are the desired ones because they do more than look pretty. They're food for animals (us included), help keep the air clean, and stop the soil from washing away. They fit into their ecosystem so well that they don't usually spread beyond the edge of what the ecosystem can handle.

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) is one of the non-native wildflowers I often see around the Sourland Mountain area. Originally from the Old World's temperate regions, it probably got here thanks to the Dutch farmers who settled here in the 17th century.

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota)
Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) · Saturday 19 August 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

These flowers aren't showy – just small and dull white bunched together. They bloom from May to September. And as the seeds get ready, the edge of the bunch curls up and goes all concave. Once they dry up, they break off and roll around like tumbleweeds.

MG MGB

The presence of the red MG MGB at the Neshanic Station flea market created a focal point for conversations and camaraderie among the attendees and other classic car owners. Strangers struck up conversations, bonding over their love for classic cars and exchanging stories of their own automotive discoveries.

As I strolled to the back of the Neshanic Station flea market, the vibrant hue of the red MG MGB immediately caught my eye. It stood proudly, parked amidst other classic cars, exuding a timeless charm. Like a woman in red, the car's red dress and sleek body pulled me in.

The MG MGB is a symbol of British automotive heritage. Its iconic chrome grille, smooth lines, and elegant curves harkened back to a time when automotive craftsmanship was an art form. The red MG MGB evoked nostalgia for my youth. Dad owned a Mini Cooper, then a more family-oriented Volkswagen Beatle. But my Uncle Clifford owned a Triumph sports convertible. Uncle Clifford would drive around with some of us boys crammed into the back seat.

Approaching the car, I stared at its exquisite details. The well-maintained leather seats exuded an air of luxury, and the polished wooden steering wheel exuded a gentlemanly sophistication. As I ran my fingers along the sleek exterior, I could almost sense the car's history.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

But it wasn't just the car that captured my attention; it was also the passionate owner who stood nearby. With a grinning smile, he eagerly shared anecdotes about the MG MGB's history, regaling curious car enthusiasts with tales of the car's adventures and the joy it had brought him. It was evident that he had poured his heart and soul into preserving this automotive gem, cherishing every moment spent behind the wheel. He told me about the roads he had travelled and his adventures.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

The presence of the red MG MGB at the Neshanic Station flea market created a focal point for conversations and camaraderie among the attendees and other classic car owners. Strangers struck up conversations, bonding over their love for classic cars and exchanging stories of their own automotive discoveries.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I am a technologist, but in an ever-changing world of fast-paced advancements, there is a timeless appeal in the past's simplicity, elegance, and craftsmanship.