Yesterday was a mindblower, I discovered two things I should have known for much longer than 24 hours.

Both facts that have evaded my ‘ Mine of useless information’ *  and involve subjects starting with H.

* My mine of useless information was a source of  consternation to my dad who had a normally functioning brain. Unless we were playing Trivial pursuit together as a team and in that scenario he could appreciate my value. My mum who was probably also a  synesthete quietly accepted my quirks.

My two ‘H’ fails yesterday were Horticulture and Haircare.

Both subjects close to my head or heart.

Starting with the heart one. My mum adored Magnolia trees. My dad was very unsuccessful at growing them. As am I. Every Magnolia season my mum would look wistfully at magnificent examples in parks and public gardens. At home there would be a sorry tree of sticks and some leaves lurking somewhere in the garden border.  It was probably symbolic of their marriage, high hopes, lots of effort, but some disappointments. I am certain neither of them knew that Magnolia Trees are hugely historically significant, evolving 95 million years ago,and shared the earth with dinosaurs but not Bees.

Magnolias are pollinated by beetles.

My other H is close to my head. Hair. I never knew there was a whole classification chart for curly hair. I am somewhere between 2C and 3A.*

Neither of these revelations are life-changing but you never know when a fact will come in useful. How did they reveal themselves?

A glacially slow walk around the Eden Project with an eager toddling grandchild. Time to read even the most obscure pieces of information. Time to appreciate the sunshine and buds of Spring.

P.S suddenly I am seeing curl categories everywhere .