and just like that

it’s musk  thistle season once again. a personal favorite. this year, due to drought, the roadsides are far magenta pink than normal. but a few have managed thrive, even without rain. i don’t know why i love these roadside weeds so dearly. they are an absolute nightmare to gather even with leather gardening gloves–those stems look innocent enough, but they are a master class in self-defense. enjoy them from a distance. you’ve been warned.

Musk thistle, nodding thistle (Carduus nutans L.)