You Can't Argue With a Sick Mind

By Reid Lewis

Many years ago, I started writing a column for the Brazos Valley Chapter (Native Plant Society of Texas) that was a plant profile, and as I was driving 45 minutes each way every day to work down dirt and farm to market roads, it was no problem to find whatever plant struck my mind's eye to write about.

And so it went for many a year, until one day, I realized bluebonnets and redbuds are just too easy and obvious. So, I started to wander the barditches and pastures for all those little jewels that hide so well. The more time I spent wandering lost in thought, the more I noticed, and when I was writing about Big-root Cymopterus (Cymopterus macrorhizus), I realized most people won't care or even see this little plant. It was at this point, my column took a turn to more of what I called Observations and Ruminations of a Sick Mind. From there it went to You Can't Argue With a Sick Mind (and just why can't you, you might ask? The answer is at the end of this rambling).

The subject matter will be anything from plants, to people who grow them, the texture of tree bark, to the insects who hide under it. Yes, it's true... it's the plants that are the glue which holds this column together, but sometimes, we will just look at things a wee bit different.

So if you want to come along for the ride that would be great - if not, that's fine, too. After all, boys and girls, you do get what you pay for!!!

Answer: because you just can't win!!!