The photo idea must be credited to Liam. I asked him how on earth to photograph “act of kindness,” and among his many suggestions was watering a plant. Given both the heat and the number of houseplants under my moderately tender mercies, it was not difficult to find one in need of water.
I have had too many plants ever since I can remember. They fill every surface in front of every window. In my first apartment, I screwed table legs to one side of some boards and rested the other edge along the window sills of the bay windows so that plants sat two and three deep all around the windows. More plants hung from hooks. Eventually, a long, low table was placed behind the window shelves and was covered with plants. I even have a dim memory of putting cuttings in jars on the steps of a stepladder by the side of the low table. At the other end of the apartment was another bay window, this one already had deep windowsills, intended for sitting no doubt, but, of course, filled with plants as well.
The more I think about this, the more obsessive and crazy my plant thing seems to be. Why do I need so many? When we moved to Switzerland (somewhat against my will) in 1999, one of the most painful aspects of leaving was giving away my plants, some of which came from my grandmother and which I had had for almost 30 years. Forget about job, tenure, friends and family! What really cut into my heart was parting with my plants. Of course, it didn’t take long for plants to start living in my Swiss apartment. You eat an avocado, and… a plant! You visit someone with a spider plant and… a plant! You visit someone who has a wandering jew plant (I’m sure there is a more politically correct name for this, buy tradescantia is too ambiguous) and… a plant! You have a birthday and your aunt knows what you love and… a plant! And many of the plants make new plants what with splitting and rooting and sending off shoots. So even though I lived there less than four years, the apartment I left was chock-full of plants, though none quite as venerable as the ones I had left behind when I went there.
My office is moving from one with windows to one with no windows, so the eight or ten giant plants that live there will be coming to live at the house. Some I inherited from people who retired. Others moved there because they had outgrown the house. The joke that is not really a joke is that now we’ll need an addition for the plants, although Joe made my day by suggesting that I install a grow-light in my new office. I walked around with a smile on my face for hours, and am smiling now to think on this wonderful idea that will allow plants to live with me in my new space. I’ve not actually seen this new office, but am trusting that its dimensions will at least slightly exceed that of a closet.
As if I didn’t have enough plants, I was in someone’s office a month or so ago and I saw a Swedish begonia, something I used to grow, but haven’t for years. “Can I have a cutting?” I asked. And here it is in this picture, now rooted and ready to start new generations of Swedish begonias in my life. It turns out, apparently, that this cutting is a descendent of a plant that grew in the Kennedy White House, although I neglected to ask about the chain of custody that led to its residency in West Virginia.
I actually had an entire philosophical digression about the ultimate act of kindness, but that train of thought will have to wait for another day, because I’ve run out of time. I have to go chop up some plants for our dinner so we can go to the outdoor music downtown this evening.
Love the photo as it tells your story beautifully and love that I have found a kindred spirit although confessionally I have zero houseplants today. All of mine are outside with a few brought in to survive the winter and then returned outside in the spring
I like your little story to allow us to know a bit more about you, Francoise! My SIL had so many plants - over 100 lying around in pots outside that she always said she would plant. It proved too much for her with other interests , she had a stroke. The house was sold, she is in care - for over 8 years now. I must remember to take her a pot plant when we visit when we are in her city. This is just something to be aware of. I'm sure you love all your plants!
Such a well composed shot that has real gentleness and a hominess about it.
Your narrative fits the shot so well - and brought a smile to my face. My house, unfortunately does not have any window sills and is much too small for plants.
I envy you!
It's A FAV!
Your narrative fits the shot so well - and brought a smile to my face. My house, unfortunately does not have any window sills and is much too small for plants.
I envy you!
It's A FAV!