Carpe diem embodied

Linum lewisii, June 8, 2021

Linum lewisii, June 8, 2021

Common & scientific name
Blue flax, Linum lewisii

Family
Flax, Linaceae

Location
Weller curve, 9,400’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Pluck the day [for it is ripe], trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.”  This is the more accurate and complete translation of the oft-cited “carpe diem,” which is usually reduced to “seize the day” and leaves out “quam minimum credula postero.”  I prefer this translation because it captures perfectly, in botanical terms even, the lesson of the blue flax: it blooms for exactly one day.  Its petals open in the morning, and fall off by afternoon.  Blue flax knows no tomorrow.  Would that we all could live that way!