Flax In Bloom

 Petals the color of a clear sky swayed in the breeze on a mild spring day. This very same plant has been essential to life since ancient times. Processing the fibers into linen threads involves many laborious, mysterious-sounding stages: rippling, retting, scutching and heckling. Fine linen fabric was wound around the remains of Egyptian pharaohs.  The seeds were an important part of ancient diets. Without linseed oil, many of the great paintings in the world would not exist. Quite a resume for a delicate plant nestled among the peonies.