Dogwood

Growing in the grounds of Tunstall Parish Church I found Cornus, otherwise known as dogwood. The McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopaedia of Science and Technology lists roller-skates, walking canes, tool handles and golfclub-heads among its many uses on account of its unusual density, hardness and strength. Soft wood is easier to work, but hardwood has longer to keep. Even its flowers, despite their pink freckles, look 'hard'. Despite having so poor a name, it has many unusual uses. Whatever your rough background, your uneducated ways, your uncouth manner- make yourself useful to heaven. The days of toil are not long, and soon enough, you shall be there. 

“Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth?

Are not his days also like the days of a hired man?" Job 7:1