MULLEIN

MULLEIN PLANT ABOUT4' TALL...

...WITH LARGE FLOWER SPIKE...

,..AND LARGE, VELVETY  LEAVES

Friday, 7:30 AM.  62 degrees F at the ferry dock, 60 on the back porch.  Wind WSW, calm with light gusts.  The sky is overcast and the humidity still 90% after a storm last night that left almost a half inch of rain.  The barometer is rising steeply, now at 29.68".  It is raining again, but the weather should clear for the weekend,  The rain barrels are full.

   The mulleins, species of the genus Verbascum in the Figwort Family, the Scrophulariaceae, are all from Europe or Asia, and occur with us as field and roadside weeds or occasionally garden plants.  We see mostly the common mullein, V. thapsus, and once you know it you won't miss it again, as it is very prominent in the landscape, as much as five or six feet in height with its long yellow flower spike or spikes and large leaves.  It is a biennial, developing a rosette of basal leaves the first year and the tall, pronounced spike of yellow flowers the second.  Some plants develop multiple flower spikes that look like a candelabra.  In England the plant is actually called candles, and in prior times would be dipped in tallow and lit, to burn as a ceremonial torch.

   Mullein has healing and medicinal qualities, the large fuzzy leaves often used as a poultice for cuts, bruises, splinters and such minor injuries.  I always let a few mullein plants grow in the garden for that purpose, and because the whole plant is so boldly decorative.  The seeds are used to make a healing antiseptic oil that has many uses, including the treatment of childhood ear infections.  The little hard, round, black seeds are also a favorite food of seed eating birds, especially sparrows and small species of woodpecker.

 OFF THE CUFF

   We humans like to  think of ourselves as empathetic, understanding the emotions of others.  Truth be told, we seldom really understand the problems, feelings, or troubles of others unless they somehow relate to ourselves and our own experiences, hopes or fears.  

   The nation is again in turmoil due to several police shootings and what appears to be reprisal murders of police in Dallas.  How does it all affect each of us?  Some of us greatly, some tangentially, some not much at all.  I for one can really relate to the black motorist that was shot and killed by what appears to be a trigger happy cop in St. Paul, after he announced he had a weapon and a concealed carry permit.  Of course none of us know all the facts as yet, but there is a very strong suspicion of bad judgement, at least, by the policeman.

   That situation affects me directly, and it gives me pause.  I have had a concealed carry permit for some years now; I have thought that two old people, traveling alone and often on lonely roads and at night could use some extra protection, and my pistol is usually in the truck within easy reach.

   The rules for concealed carry state that if stopped by the police, the carrier should announce that he has a weapon, and a permit.  The Minnesota driver evidently did so and was shot dead.  I was stopped a while back in Nebraska for driving 67MPH in a 65 zone (lonely road, bored cop).  I showed him my drivers license and my concealed carry permit.  He asked me where the gun was, and I pointed to the glove compartment.  He told me not to open it.  What if I had not heard him, or misunderstood?  Now there is a difference in the two scenarios; I am white, the dead motorist is black.  The Minnesota governor stated he did not think the man would be dead if he had been white. How about a white motorist and a black cop?  Houston, we have a problem.

   But, back to my own situation.  If I am stopped in the future, should I perhaps not say anything about a gun and a permit?  It's looking rather like it might be open season on those who have a concealed carry permit.  Maybe the police don't want us exercising our Second Amendment rights, so that they alone carry weapons.  If so, they are negating settled constitutional law, one trigger pull at a time.

   The National Rifle Association claims, rightly, to be the nation's Second Amendment watchdog.  They had better be watching the St. Paul case closely.