We lost a major piece of our history today when Lady Bird Johnson died. Of course, we all know her as the wife of Lyndon Johnson. You remember - all those drawling folks out of the Hill Country of Texas - Lyndon, Lady Bird, and their two daughters - all with the initials of LBJ. And they were all larger than life.
But maybe what I appreciate most about her is that we have her to thank for all the wildflowers that bloom in profusion along our highways and interstates. She made it her mission to beautify the roadsides in America. Everytime I see a median full of poppies, daisies, cosmos, or bluebonnets, I say a silent Thank You to Lady Bird for filling those neglected spaces with color. I remember an interview on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt. She was identifying different flowers for him - bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, Indian blanket, evening primrose, etc. He asked about one other flower and she said "That's a DYC." Kuralt looked puzzled and said "What's that?" Very matter-of-fact, she answered that there were so many nearly indistinguishable yellow flowers that she called them "Damned Yellow Composites". And to this day, that's the name of any yellow roadside flower.
Another great PBS program tonight - American Masters on Les Paul. What musical geniuses he is, and with the wonderful voice of Mary Ford! I surely didn't know he was even still alive - this program was made this year. Wikipedia says he was born in 1915. He's still playing gigs every Monday night - and is still amazing to listen to. "Somewhere There's Music" "Mockingbird Hill" "How High the Moon" What a treat!
Today's picture is of some roadside flowers in Scotland.
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