water

the day after my tour of the yard, where i took the beautiful pictures i posted in the last post, i took out all the dead stuff and planted new flowers in the pots.

the next day, i was marveling to maddie at how beautiful they all looked and how well the flowers seemed to be doing.

she rightfully reminded me.  "mom, it's only been one day. you haven't had time to kill them yet."  

we raise our children to be truthful and forthright.  yes, indeed, we do.

later that day, i told my friend becky that i don't do very well with plants.  she said, quite simply, "you have to water them."

and she's right.  and i so often don't.  water them, that is.  i just forget.  they don't scream out, "i'm thirsty!" like kids do.  they don't whine or bark, like the dog does. they look so calm and serene just sitting or hanging there in their pleasant little pots.  i look at them--all quiet and happy and self-maintained--and, swamped with other things to do, i tell myself, "heck, they can go another day!"

i really would like to, uh... turn over a new leaf  on this (somewhat) tragic flaw in my character.

we will see, we will see.