Funny how certain things will bring back
memories of folks you've loved in your life.
♥
One of the plants that caught my attention was the wandering jew that Patty had hanging in her kitchen. I was instantly reminded of my Grandma Bessie, and her knack for "starting" plants with a few clippings. She had lots of wandering jew around her house, and I remember that a lot of her scattered growings were potted in empty coffee cans - tucked here and there among her flowerbeds. Grandma Bessie could be a bit random at times. {Hm...maybe that's where I get it...}
After seeing Patty's wandering jew I was a bit obsessed with owning my own, so I made up my mind to start looking around our local nurseries.
About a month after we returned from Chattanooga, my husband Doug was painting for a client who had wandering jew growing in a flower bed. He mentioned my little obsession to the homeowner and she generously offered a few clippings from her plant. I was so happy when Doug came home that day with the plant clippings, sweetly tucked into a cute vase of water.
The vase sat on our kitchen counter for several weeks and I kept an eye the clippings as they sprouted roots. I wondered at what point would my grandmother have said "enough rooting" and then planted in some soil for the next leg of their journey.
Well now, the clippings have been properly planted and I'm happy to report that the plant is thriving, thanks to a little know-how and some love mixed it. It may seem a bit silly for me to be sentimental about a plant, but I love the connection I feel when I look at it, and the subtle reminder to grow where I am planted.
♥
PS: There was a total of SEVEN offers on the house we looked at last week, and the seller accepted OURS! We'll be moving at the end of this month and my little wandering jew will have a new sunny window to enjoy.
PS#2: I'm linking to Sian's blog today for "Storytelling Sunday." :o)
18 comments:
Yes, that does bring back memories! Where's your coffee can or is coffee still sold in cans? My luck with "starts" has been hit and miss to say the least. When I was in high school, I broke off a piece of honeysuckle and stuck it in a little vase and put it on my dresser. I loved the scent and it looked lovely for a couple of days. About the time I started to toss it out, I noticed roots forming at the bottom. So I planted it in our front yard and it took off. I built a crazy treliss for it and it soon overwhelmed that. One day your Uncle Wes got mad a me and he chopped half of it down. But, alas, that baby couldn't be killed and it grew even bigger and bolder. And that, my DD, is my Sunday Story! Love you! xo
First, congrats on the new house! I'm sure you and Doug will fill it with love and new memories.
Second, I remember filling my college dorm room with wandering jews and spider plants!!! Thanks for the blast from the past.
Third, love your mother's story.
Finally, I marvel atvall your heart shaped rocks. Still have never found any myself.
Rinda
I think we see where you get your desire to take cuttings from! There's nothing quite like looking after something and seeing it grow is there?
Fantastic news on the new house, fingers crossed that the move goes well and you remember which box you packed the cats in ;-)
congratulations deb! wishing you every happiness in your new home!
I love taking cuttings and watching them grow...and whenever I do I am reminded of my mother....who could make anything grow.
Deb, that's wonderful news about the house - it is obviously meant for you. Hurray!
And no I don't think it's silly to be sentimental about a plant at all. I'm still a bit sad that I had to leave behind a rose when we moved. It was a Mothers Day present.
Thanks for the story Deb. You always have one to make me think!
I really like that saying, it's one to live by for sure :)
That's great news about the house! My Gran could also grow anything from cuttings and her garden and houseplants were always beautiful. A lovely story to share.
Congrats on the house! Best of luck in the move. Your story brings back so many memories of Wandering Jew, Spider Plant and my Mum's favourite - African Violet.
Congratulations on your new home! Cannot wait to see pictures!
My MIL is a great one for cuttings, and gardens for that matter ... me ... not so much!
Great, great news on the house Deb!
Wow, you've done a great job with your cuttings. Great news about the house too.
So pleased about the house! You must be SO excited! I had a few plants that held sentimental value for me and took them to Spain with me(one died,sadly, but two others are still growing happily!)
Alison xx
that is wonderful deb. very exciting.
Lots of good news here! Congratulations on the house. Now you can breathe a sigh of relief. And I'm glad you have your plant nice and thriving. What a nice way to remember your grandma.
First..AWESOME!!!! on the house :) 7 offers just amazes me, we don't have bidding wars in this part of the country. And in at the end of the month, wow! I love your story, my grandmother had a very green thumb but her only indoor plants were wandering jew and snake plant.
I have a similar affinity to Christmas Cactus - and my little plant is an offshoot from one my Mom nurtured through more moves than I care to count!
And speaking of moves... so glad you have found a new place to call home!
What a great story - so glad your plant is thriving. My Grandma always had a pot of aloe vera growing . . . maybe I should start one for myself.
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