November 15th, 2021

 Morning walk sponsored by Indian Paintbrush or Castilleja, a native wildflower in the family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)and grows in moist areas, dry areas, and sandy prairies. It is characterized by it's spikelike flower cluster, which resemble a crude brush that has been dipped in paint. (No wonder I’m in love with this flower!) The Navajos used these plants for medicinal purposes such as a contraceptive or to decrease the menstrual cycle.….just a fun fact!

I have always had deep affection for this flower with it’s striking crimson that sparks inspiration! It isn’t abundant in our New Mexican soil, so that makes it even more precious upon spotting.

Kona finds it inviting also and plops down by it whenever we pass it!

Take this spark of beauty into your day and create a path of smiles in your footprints!

The native legend of Indian Paintbrush:

The First Indian Paintbrush

Once upon a time, a Blackfoot maiden fell in love with a wounded prisoner she was attending. The maiden realized that her tribe was only nursing its captive in order to torture him later. She planned an escape of the prisoner, accompanying him for fear of the punishment for such a deed.

After some time in her lover's camp she grew homesick for a glimpse of her old camp. She finally went to the site of her old camp, hid in the nearby bushes, and overheard two young braves discussing what would happen to the maiden who betrayed them, if only they could find her.

Knowing she could never return, but nonetheless longing to return, she took a piece of bark and drew a picture of the camp upon it with her own blood, gashing her leg and painting with a stick.
After drawing the picture, the maiden threw the stick away and returned to her lover's camp. Where the stick landed, a little plant grew with a bush-like end, dyed with the blood of this girl, which became the first Indian Paintbrush.

Adapted from "Old Man's Garden" by Annora Brown