Monday, June 18, 2007

Mindless Mondays (because I am too tired on Mondays for deep thoughts)

I hate we are trying not to say hate in our house

I really don't like houseplants. Oh sure, I have read countless articles on how bringing nature inside your home can make it feel warm and inviting. But unless you are a member of the Adams Clan, I hardly think having hanging baskets looking like this will make anyone feel comfortable in your home.

This was a wave petunia basket given to me by Ben's teachers.

Philodendron, ferns, ficus trees, peace lilies: Despite my best efforts I have tortured them all to this same slow (and sometimes not so slow) brown death where they become crumbling symbols of my insecurities on my abilities as a competent keeper of my home. ~shudder~

Of course, it never fails that each Mother's Day and Easter my children come home proudly bearing Styrofoam cups and painted terracotta pots stuffed with little green sprigs that have no idea of their inevitable demise. I try to place them in inconspicuous places around my home so my children don't notice their deterioration and eventual disappearance. I do usually save the painted terracotta pots and if anyone has any other suggestions as to what to do with these, I'd love to know.

So how surprised am I that this Mother's Day offering from Sunday School is still sitting on my kitchen counter. It wilts from time to time and I squirt it with water from the sink and it perks back up. I have no idea what it is. It had no flowers on it when I received it (unlike it's pretty preschool counterpart which found it's burial in the trash weeks ago).

Does anyone know what I am growing here; this perky little guy who's managed to beat the odds?
So far...

8 comments:

◈lunaluna◈ said...

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Please, send me the photo of your computer desk.
I'll publish on my blog!.
And if you want link me your blog, so I’ll publish on mine.

EMAIL: pcdesktop1@gmail.com

Chaotic Joy said...

The second plant picture showed a dirty stove which I promptly went and wiped down. Apparently even the live plants can be symbols of my domestic shortcomings. Sigh.

Lynn Stallworth said...

Joy, it kinda looks like the plant Eric's great grandma gave Don and I when we got married. This plant in indestructible! I've taken cuttings off of it and make other pots out of it. I have no idea what it is, but every time I'm sure it's dead, because I haven't watered it in a month, it just springs back to life! The only actual "houseplants" I've kept alive are the previous mentioned and the peace lily. All other ones get the same trashcan fate as yours! I do much better with the outdoor variety!

Christine said...

I have no clue at all what it is. I sympathize, though. I only have one house plant that still lives and it HAS to be some sort of miracle!

painted maypole said...

painted terra cotta planters can be used to store all manner of things, from makeup to craft supplies to hair ribbons....

S said...

Oh, dear, girl. That petunia basket is, ehrm, pretty sad.

Can't help you ID the healthy one -- I'm from New York City, y'know. ;)

Ginger Johnson said...

When Bill and I were first married, his parents bought us a hanging basket of gorgeous red petunias. In days it was like a horticultural holocaust. But I kept the basket, hoping for a resurrection of sorts. All winter, it sat on our balcony. In the spring, a purple-edged white petunia grew from it. Interesting, huh?

Chaotic Joy said...

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