The Moving of the Plants

Saturday found me at Mama's house with a strong back and a weak mind. Saturday marked the semi-annual "Moving of the Plants". The move indoors takes place in October. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy spending time with Mama and this is a small favor which she calls upon me to help with. But let's just say her back porch looks like a jungle during the warm months of the year.

Mama has green hands --- which is much stronger than a green thumb. There is nothing that the woman cannot and will not try to grow. Some of the plants are dog-ass ugly but she still believes all plants deserve a chance to shine. And so it is not unusual to find two or three different kinds of plants occupying the same clay pot. She just sticks one of the these in with one of those and BAM! it grows. At one time we counted over 100 potted plants including trees to be moved to various indoor and then outdoor locations in and around Mama's house.

Mama has downsized to about 75 plants. Armed with little red wagons we hauled plants to their winter locations. I asked her, "Mama, do you really need all these plants?" Her reply was, "No. Not really. But I can't find it in my heart to just let them die." She has one plant that her aunt gave to her which I named "Nell" in honor of her aunt. I have no idea what kind of funky plant it is but Mama insists on keeping it alive for sentimental reasons. And then there is another plant that she had when she was married to my dad. So that plant has to be at least 25 years old. It derserves a place of honor year round. And thank goodness she no longer has the thorny tall plants that required wearing oven mitts when we moved them.

And so we have survived "The Moving of the Plants" one more time with a minimum of scratches and bruises. It will be my luck to inherit "Nell" one day and I will think to myself, "I can't find it in my heart to just it die."