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August 20, 2008
I'm a horrible person
basket of plants, originally uploaded by MrLomo.
Many years ago, when I first started this here Commentary, I worked in an office. At the desk next to mine was Eleanor, who was a delightful person, but sometimes off-kilter.
When I was there, her mother had recently passed away. To keep the memory of her mother alive, she had some plants and ferns that she kept in the office. She watered them every day, and referred to them as "Mother." I'd be sitting in my cube, probably avoiding work, when she'd announce that it was "time to water Mother."
Don't you know, those plants grew and grew, until they took up a large amount of space in the room.
On the other hand, I have learned that if I want to get some plants to memorialize a person, they are going to die. I've learned this the hard way. Somebody who does not wish to be mentioned on this site gave me a plant a few months ago, and I was determined to keep it alive. Things went well for a while - I set it up in my bathroom, next to the window, reasoning that I was in my bathroom everyday, and when I was in the shower, I would have no choice but to see the plant and remember to water it.
This strategy worked for the better part of six months, but I am sad to report that the plant may be on its last legs. Or is it last roots? It turns out that when I left last week, I left the plant positioned so that it wasn't getting any sunlight. Indeed, the portion that was in the sunlight is alive and well, but the non-lit portion seems to be crumbling.
I feel awful. At least if I ever have a baby, it screams when it's hungry.
entry no. 1198
Posted at August 20, 2008 11:26 AM