I May Need an Intervention

Oh crap. I’ve turned into one of those people who can’t throw away a poinsettia plant in May when the lack of watering and general bad air in the office has ruined whatever lustre there was to the plant. When it’s down to three leaves and woody stems.

Correlation to the ponsettia issue: What you see before you is a petunia plant I finally put to rest this morning. I have great pangs in my heart throwing a blooming plant in the yard waste bag. I’ve even caught myself, in years past, saying the despised word “goodbye” to an annual plant as I shut the top of the bag. What’s up with that?

Since early this May, I passed this petunia plant – and its birdbath brethren – multiple times every day as I entered and exited the house. The joy and general spirit that “The Wave Petunia” brings to my world every year is tantamount to my general sunny disposition. It was on my way to the car yesterday that it came to me why I had trouble sending this one to the compost pile. The other plants my son and I planted with this petunia had long since been trimmed back and/or removed. But this purple wonder had given me everything it had and, like me, it was not giving in easily to the cold weather and bitter air. It was going to bloom as long and hard as it could. (The only parallel I can draw to myself is that I only started wearing socks with my shoes early this week.)

I’ve cleaned out the birdbath planter and put it away until next spring. I’ve washed all my socks and purchased tights. I’m currently embracing the holiday spirit and have welcomed the brisk and cold air as I take my walks. I’m happy.

But I miss the little touch of purple moving ever so slightly in the warm, sunny breeze.

PS…I’ve never been a fan of poinsettias. I probably never will be, and we don’t have them in our home. They just aren’t my thing. However, I know they bring great joy. I’m at peace with that.

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