Zizania. Zest (enthusiasm).
Origination in America, the ornamental zinnia, with its colorful, long-lasting flower-heads, is grown in
English gardens and in no way resembles the exotic zizania, which I'm featuring today.
Wild rice, also called Canada rice, Indian rice, and water
oats, are four species of grasses forming the genus Zizania, and the grain which can be harvested from them. The grain
was historically gathered and eaten in both North America and China. While it
is now a delicacy in North America, the grain is eaten less in China, where Zizania's stem is used as a vegetable.
Not directly related to Asian Wild rice, the grains have a chewy outer sheath
with a tender inner grain that has a slightly vegetal taste. The plants grow in
shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams. Often, only the
flowering head of wild rice rises above the water.
Some people would see the water as a hazard and the
flowering head as a weed. With their bad attitude to life, pessimists radiate
gloom.
As an optimist, I prefer to see the wonderful detail in
everything I encounter and reflect my zest
for life to those around me. I expect a favorable side of events or conditions
and the best outcome. I believe that good
ultimately predominates over evil in the world and that positive thoughts affect reality.
What a wonderful topic to finish the A - Z challenge with: Zest.
Proverb: You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
