I’m blaming Twitter. My feed of pundits and reporters pointed me to this clip on Newsmax, a channel I’ve never dared look at. It shows a host mocking Joe Biden for picking a dandelion and giving it to his wife. Oh wait, “bizarrely” giving her the dandelion.
So worthy of being mocked as a phony “gate.”
But gardeners, why do we think he was picking it for her and saying to her about it? Note that it’s the spent flower, the part we blow to scatter the seeds, that he’s handing her. Not a yellow flower to match what appear to be lemons on her dress, and definitely NOT the “flower that hasn’t even bloomed yet” that the host thinks it is.
Elsewhere on the White House Grounds
Now to soothe the soul, here’s a shot of the First Lady/college professor grading papers in the White House gardens. From the WHPhotoOffice Instagram account.
Thanks for a good laugh, Susan.
But please don’t ever feel you need to look at (ugh) “News”Max.
This lovely piece was featured on both PBS and NBC News. Much safer, actual news networks and no snark.
Personally, I thought it was a sweet and kind gesture. Very fitting for this lovely, loving dedicated couple.
What a pleasure it is to be able to be a proud, happy, aware US citizen again.
The Newsmax anchor makes a mountain out of a molehill. It’s silly. I see it as a sweet gesture. I blow the seeds off of dandelions all of the time and make a wish. Sometimes I wish for peace or simply wish the world well. Dandelions are actually a welcome weed in my garden. Why must Newsmax need to put a negative spin on this? How about some real news?
I heartily agree with you! We always picked spent dandelions, made a wish and blew the seeds. If all of them went with one blow, then surely our wish would come true! Just like with birthday candles. I think the news folks can’t find anything REALLY bad to pin on the Bidens so they make things up. Pathetic. In the meantime, maybe we can use dandelions to wish that news anchors find other topics on which to rant.
Duh. He’s asking her to make a wish
Dandelions are some of the first blooms for the bees. Sending the seeds flying so there will be more flowers for the bees is awesome! It’s those with pristine lawns that object. Fools!
My parents didn’t teach me that source of wishes. Thank you for enlightening me!
The wishes are even here in the UK.
But I guess he was saying ‘here, this will make your fingers all sticky and gooey..’
In a somewhat related vein, has anyone else noted that there seems to be an especially prolific crop of dandelions this year?
Yes, dandelions everywhere, and not nearly as noticeable last year!
I thought it was a sweet, nostalgic gesture. “Here, honey, make a wish!” How could anyone have a problem with that? And Jack yes, the dandelions are unusually thick, and I’ve noticed taller than usual.
I can relate to grading papers in the garden…
I don’t think she’s grading papers in that pic. Nova teachers have been all virtual 🙂
Wish White House lawn had dandelions, violets & etc………………..Tara Turf. No chemicals, no fertilizer……
Sweet seeing the cliche…………..from childhood, here.
Garden & Be Well, Tara
I saw it on NPR or one of the big three network news FB pages. I thought it was charming and real and personal. Detractors are just looking for anything to cry about. As I pointed out to one person, dandelions are edible as salads & greens, as jelly, as wine. They are food for out pollinators and brighten the bland expanse of lawn. And as anyone with the heart of a child knows, they are happiness and wishes. NewsMax is just sour because the most tender moment we ever saw between the previous WH residents was when she *didn’t* slap hi hand away.
The wishes are even here in the UK.
But I guess he was saying ‘here, this will make your fingers all sticky and gooey..’
The real scandal here is that Joe and Jill Biden are helping spread dandelion seeds–a notorious invasive species–far and wide. Making a wish and blowing the seeds is clearly a plot perpetuated by the herbicide industry to sell more product. When will America wake up!
Good grief.
If that anchor can’t tell the difference between a dandelion clock and a bud, he needs to spend less time behind the studio desk and more out getting some fresh air (and perhaps a bit of perspective).
Agreed, really!? This news worthy?? I thought it was sweet!!
That guy is a MORON! WHAT an embarrassment. Get the duct tape out. Thank god I’ve never heard of that program. Happy Spring everyone!