Thursday, August 16, 2018

MOWING THE LAWN

Ah, the sweet smell of newly mowed grass ... it always gets to me...
It brings back memories of our lawn after Daddy mowed it. My older sister got to mow it sometimes, and then, finally, I was allowed to push the lawn mower. It was fun. It was hard to get the mower rolling, but wow, once I got it going I didn't want to stop -- I loved making a pathway in the grass.

A twig got stuck in the cutter blades. I had to figure out how to get it unstuck. Almost immediately, it happened again, and again -- twigs, pebbles, more twigs.

With all the stopping and starting, mowing became a big chore. I was glad when my sister told me, "You aren't strong enough to mow the lawn, Em."

Even so, that sweet-sweet smell -- it meant summer, no school, long days with me free to do whatever I was in the mood to do. Free -- what a feeling -- that feeling as if every day were Sunday.

It made me aware of time passing quickly, grass re-growing, needing to be mowed, which meant soon -- too soon -- the summer would end and the wonderful green would turn yellow and brown.

I got too-too busy and didn't see or smell any grass for a long time.

Now, I never see newly mowed grass except in television ads. Even so, I remember -- oh my yes -- I do remember, that sweet, sweet, sweet smell and it still gives me a powerful feeling that has to do with loving nature for giving us the gift of grass -- taking it away -- giving it back to us every summer.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

TAKE A PEEK AT SOMETHING WE CHERISH

Back in 2013, I got a small pot of elephant ears, and sat it on my book shelf.

Calling it "plantee,"  I greeted it every morning and said goodnight to it every night.

By October 2015 there were 5 nice-sized elephant ears and 3 sprouts. I transplanted it with my husband's help (John Cullum's a good helper).

Using a large Plaster of Paris can, we filled it with potting soil, wood sticks and a straightened-out wire clothes hanger to support the 2 main stems, and placed it near fax machine in the hallway between our offices. With a desk lamp giving her sunshine, it was Plantee's home.

I greeted her as I crossed through the hallway to chat with John a dozen times a day. He began greeting her when he crossed the hallway to visit me.

If you work in a small office inside and faraway from people, a plant to love and cherish, and talk to, grows YOU like it grows the plant. John Held the Mac computer. I got behind the plant. And together we made this a photo of my flourishing Plantee last year.
Since Plantee was beginning to look like a tree, we headed for Home Depot in March -- bought a large pot and 2 bags of potting soil, made a mess of the hallway transplanting her but we were sure plantee needed a bigger home sweet home.

Here she is today. We figure Plantee is still adjusting.  (Double click the picture, the video starts slowly.)


If you have any ideas about this, don't fib -- let us know!