NEARLY ONE YEAR LATER . . .One of my neighbors came across the road in need of water the other day.  Her front yard was filled with an emergency crew complete with dump truck, backhoe, pavement cutter and small bulldozer as they attempted to repair a waterline that suddenly turned their well-manicured yard into a swampy wasteland. The equipment and all that it took to get it to the site had spilled over into our circular driveway, for ease of unloading and extra parking space.

NO WATER . . . That’s how she found out what’s been going on at my house.  We mostly visit outside; down at the mailbox or at the edge of a garden spot to admire or console a gardening “event”.  (Or when I collect my wayward dog!)

Just off my kitchen, as I filled her water jugs, the lighted plant stand beckoned for a closer look.  Curiosity took her the few steps it required to get a better look.  Since my light stand is basically a nursery of babies, few are putting on a show.   Ness’ Crinkle Blue that Joann gave me in June stands out in full bloom right in front, on the center shelf.  I could tell by the “oh, Laurie…” followed by “…what in the world?”  ... explanations were going to be expected next.

It went well…at first!  I told her about the Internet and exchanging of leaves through the mail; that they would be gifts if I could get them to grow nicely; (she placed her request for a Crinkle Blue :-)  That they all had names.     She knew about that actually!  Her daughter (one of my other neighbors) had told her about how her friend “Lori” had gone crazy over African Violets and was collecting leaves through Internet groups.  About now she’s realizing which “Laurie” her daughter had meant!

With her water in hand, we headed out through the living room.  A tray of babies I had been watering and grooming sat on the coffee table, half finished.  These, along with the old no-names that grace the living room seeking natural light, were observed with “…more? Oh, these are pretty.”

The door just off the living room was open. The college bound daughter left behind her purple painted walls, still adorned by most of her artwork and posters.  Her STUFF has been boxed, bagged or shuffled to a closet or a corner. The bed is gone and in its place is my sewing machine and cutting table – no longer sharing space with laundry machines and dirty clothes.  And MORE plants have found their way to this room.  Those that seem to need natural light and a tray or two of “last chance” plants, as I worked up the courage for my first REAL culling.

She may not have seen the plants in my bedroom, through the patio doors.  There’s many more in there taking advantage of all that window space.  “We never use these doors anyway...” was my justification as I put a discarded kindergarten worktable to use – smack in front of the double doors.