Dandelions-love em or hate em

I have a need to discuss this-the case for dandelions. At this time of year they are out, shining bright among the greens of lush grass, weeds and wild flowers. They are nearly fluorescent as they pop up here, there and everywhere-but mainly everywhere-attracting all sorts of flying insects, and in particular bees. Bees LOVE dandelions!

Do I love them though? This is tricky. I was brought up with a deep rooted (pardon the pun) aversion to them. My dad hated the sight of them in his lawn and would be out with sharp knife and salt to cut their heads off and finish them off for good.  This of course was an impossible mission because, as we all know, where there is one, there are ten thousand!! If they are good at feeding bees, they are also very good at getting around thanks to their puffball seed head which ensures safe travel for hundreds of seeds. I have heard dandelions described as the sun (flower), the moon (seed head) and the stars (seeds)-and it was fun as children to tell the time using the dandelion clock.

So when I see them in my grass, I get a little of my father's angst. However, I am learning that they have many benefits to flying creatures, but also to ourselves. They can be made into a jelly, a tea, used to treat all sorts of ills, and are generally all round amazing plants. 

So what do I do-love them or hate them? Honestly, I don't think I will ever embrace them in the lawn, but am happy to see them in the wilder areas, and there are about ten thousand across the road if I feel like making some dandelion tea-lowers the blood pressure I hear!