My hateful plants

I used to be much less patient. You know how houseplants get pushy? Mine were like that. "Water me."

Sometimes they became aggressively demanding and started to wither, just to prove who was boss. "Water me now!"

I didn't like feeling manipulated. I couldn't handle the pressure. I would turn my back and do something else, ignoring them. But plants always win these arguments. Slowly, persistently and just to spite me, they would die. So, to prove their tactics will not work with me, I would continue to ignore them.

Plants never learn. You buy new ones and set them amongst the dried, yellow carcasses of their stupid forbeareres, but they make the same mistakes. Trying to modify their behaviour is futile.

I got tired of watching them complain all the time. I started to cave in. The plants I have now, I water dutifully and resentfully. I even feed them.

I'm pathetic, I know.

Of course they take me for granted. Once in a while one of them will get carried away and wilt a little. But none of them have actually died recently.

They're not exactly flourishing. I think they feel guilty. And so they should.

Panic-stricken clouds

My October entry has been published in Living With Nature at Suite101. This is the first time I have used a day-by-day nature journal format, and I'm pleased with the results. The article contains links to more photos, none of which, except the ones from Oct. 6, have appeared in this LiveJournal.

BOO!

Thanks to a kind and subtle suggestion in an email from Danny I decided to go for a walk to clear my head at 3 p.m., not my usual time. The air had the sweet, mild quality of nectar, the light was fine as aged wine.





But the most beautiful thing in the entire park this week is the young red oak.





The final image, behind the cut, will be cross-posted in photocontest.


( Click here )