A Thing or Two: Glass Thumb

I drive past it every day, to work and back and then some. The new little garden shop on the corner. Yesterday they looked quiet and I thought I’d just stop by to purchase a little something to show my support. That’s where it all began. My new found love for succulents! I thought I’d seen it all, cacti, aloe, ice plant, blah blah blah. But I was wrong, I felt as if I’d stepped onto another planet, or a stroll along the ocean floor. There must have been a hundred different variations. Now, I’d love to tell you that I have a green thumb and find time to water and nurture my plants, but the wilting plants in my house would tell you otherwise. So the thought of a succulent that looks like a flower and only needs to be watered once a week, was brilliant.

$34.00 later (not in the budget), I was on my way to the larger nursery near my house to pick up some pots and soil. I was greeted by a man, an old hippie with a long white beard and questionable tattoos. I was immediately distracted by the sale sign that hung above the herb, vegetable and fruit plants. $2.99 for each?! Sold! I began to grab for the heirloom tomatoes when another employee came over to tell me that sale was actually $.99 for each! The memories of old, dead herb and veggie plants quickly left my mind. How can you go wrong with $.99? So Santa followed me around with a tray collecting all that I handed to him. I was really impressed by his cooking ideas and mostly his extensive knowledge of plants, a true botanist. The pots they had were a bit pricey so I decided I’d add a little thrift store shopping to the list. After a bag of soil and 8 plants I was looking at a measly $14!

So today I drove down to the local thrift store (a trip I take often) and found exactly what I needed at a good price, pots of all sizes. I’d told my friend Rheanna about the amazing deal I’d found at the nursery and she was eager to buy some plants for herself. I was looking forward introducing her to that knowledgeable new friend of mine, but when we got there he was nowhere to be found. I walked up to the owner to let him know how much I appreciated all the help I received the day before. I was surprised to see the baffled expression on his face. “Jose?” He said. “Hmm, I don’t think so, this guy has a long, white beard and tattoos” I replied. With an even more puzzled look he said, “That guy doesn’t work here, he works at the motel around he corner.” A bit taken aback, I thanked him and carried on around the garden as I tried to process the situation.

Remembering my lack of ability to keep plants alive, I thought of my options for building some sort of watering system. But then I remembered! Those glass water sphere things! So I ran to Ross where I’d seen them before and found a package of 6 for only $8.00.

I came back home excited to start my little garden but could only find two left handed gloves, which I decided against using. Not a good idea. I must have pulled ten tiny splinters from my fingers just from the soil alone. I turned on some Billie Holiday (who always seems right for the occasion) washed the old pots, added some fresh soil, placed in my new plants and shoved a water filled glass sphere in each, and voila!! My garden. A perfect end to a beautiful Sunday afternoon.