Stuff

So I have been looking for things which bring me joy. You laugh at that idea, but for a quasi workaholic who has put everyone else's needs before her own since she was 8....joy is hard to find alone!

I bought a grow light. Coming from the PNW that seems absurd. I mean, hell...you stand still long enough moss does grow on you in the PNW. In the High Mountain Desert area, things are different. I am adapting. When I left Seattle I broke a relationship which was damaged irreperably. Molbaks. I cannot explain the joy I would feel making the drive on a Sunday to see what they had. This wasn't the yuppie one in Seattle,this was the real one out in what was then the wilds of Redmond...actually I can't recall the city, I recall the african violets. As with everything, it starts with my mother. She grew household plants without effort. She could not get african violets to bloom. I may be misquoting, but I think they are from the orchid family. Mom could grow them but could not get them to bloom.

With one of the first trips to Molbaks, I found some violets. HEH HEH HEH....I got my little pots and went to town. Mom had to give me advice....and I took it. Put them in clay pots and then water from the bottom. She was adament about that. I can't recall why, it doesn't matter why because I did it. They grew. So I felt enlivened. I went back to Molbaks, and they had different varieties...and I got them. Centuries ago in my first job this amazing woman got me intrigued with the different varieties of violets. Of course you have no idea of the varieties, but my mom and this wonderful woman who decided to make violets her retirement passion....I grew to know them as well.

Molbaks is difficult to describe. It is pretty much a comprehensive garden store which over the years chose to upscale their stock and yuppified their property. Want a plant? Why not get an imported pot to impress someone, AND we have cards that will suit every occasion. Yup....I was in love. As I found impressive success with BLOOMING violets I branched out and got different varities. My favorite was a deep purple flower with a white line around the leaves. Stunning.

When I left Seattle I had about 8 seasoned and mature plants. I couldn't move them in the van nor take them on the plane. I truly was devastated. Every once in a while, I ask my friend Anna how they are doing to which she replies with amazement that they still grow!

Totally different world here. The afternoon sun actually scorches plants in a window sill. I really do have blackout curtains to stem the damage the sun can do. It is amazing. But I have found little to no success gardening. I gave up. Until last year. I wanted herbs. I took that desire and lamely attempted to grow herbs in the best light in the basement (it made sense at the time). Yah....didn't work.

A few weeks ago I bought a grow light. Yup...I started my little herb garden praying it worked. An hour in the morning and a few after work I would lovingly water my little pots and make sure the light nursed the hidden seeds to success. I will say my doglets had unnatural curiosities about the pots. I did threaten whichever of the leglifters peed on my plants, they would not enjoy mommas anger.

With flagging enthusiasm I turned on the glow light two nights ago. Splashed a bit of water on them & went to the computer & television. Something struck me as odd....I looked at the pots...and there was GREEN! Yup, I am in the gardening realm again. It is such a huge excitement to me to see the little sprouts break out in the dirt. AWESOME. Let them grow...next time, violets!