Well, it's the 4th of July, and I've been met with another reality. I suspected it before, but now I know it's true: I don't have a green thumb, and can't keep a plant alive to save my life.
When a good friend moved to California last year, she gave me her favorite plant, and asked me to take care of it for her, since she knew it wouldn't survive the move. Well, that plant is on it's last leaf...so to speak.
I cut off 5 clippings, which I believe is the correct horticultural term for 5 leaves, and put them in a cup of water. A friend told me, "If you're lucky, they'll grow new roots, and you can pot them in some soil and start over. " In other words, hopefully I be able to grow a new plant again by the time I see my friend...essentially hiding what I've done. Oh by the way...did I tell you this plant holds deep sentimental meaning to her?
So, I was waiting for the elevator to go down to the garbage dumpster, when the elevator door opened. I was carrying what was left of the lifeless plant in my arms, and hoping to make a secret dash to the trash bin. But as the doors opened, I came face to face with a very nice looking guy about my age who happens to live in my condo building. Busted!
It could have been me and my own insecurities, but I saw him look at that plant with something akin to horror, probably thinking to himself..."What did she do to that poor thing?"
In my mind, I wanted to start yelling and say, "Okay, now you know my secret! I'm not Martha Stewart. I can't cook a 7 course meal. I can't grow my own herb garden. And I definitely cannot figure out how to keep this plant alive."
Thank God for tiny miracles, in that what was in my mind didn't actually come out of my mouth. Instead, I said hello, and started to tell him the tale of the potted plant. Some might say it was friend flirting...but I like to think of it more as being neighborly. You know...nobody really knows their neighbors any more, and I for one, am trying to change that.
So, as we conversed about the plant, I finally said in frustration, " I guess I'm just not meant to have a real-life plant."
As he exited the elevator, he said with a smile, "I don't think it's you at all. Maybe it's just the plant."
Ah....the wonders of the modern man....perfect! Who needs Martha Stewart anyway? Maybe it IS just the plant.
