Curse it by name
A lesson both powerful and prickery
One treasure in our Mentor Memories came from a long ago family
friend. Her influence dates so far back that it's not her face
Janet recalls as she repeats this mentor's words, but the hems of
that dear lady's apron and dress.
In answer to Janet's tearful identification of an offending
plant as "That prickery one," Frances Kissinger poured tincture of
witchhazel to soothe the irritated skin, while advising,
Now dear, learn the plants' names. That's bull thistle. It is
always more powerful to curse it by name.
When you're small, adults' faces don't register so often as
their knees and hems!