Making House (Plant) Calls

My husband and I went for a nice walk around the neighborhood with our very anxious Labrador Retriever Saturday for some of that cool, fresh Pennsylvania Spring air! Inhale, EXHALE.... I snapped a pic of some snowdrops on our walk while the dog sniffed (and possibly ate) other treasures the melted snow revealed.

The homestretch is the steep sidewalk alongside my rock garden. I checked on it to see how my miniatures weathered the winter. Beneath the soggy fall leaves I found my little succulents already looking fresh and green -- or red, like the Dragon's Blood I photographed atop some Vinca. Don't they look like little cake roses? I rearranged some stones that had washed out -- and that did it! My spring fever kicked into high gear. I honestly think it's the dirt that does it.

It's too cool to do anything yet outside, and still too early for me to decorate for Easter, so I turned my attention to my houseplants, who looked neglected and a little worse for the winter wear. I found some holes in my greenscape and made a quick trip to Lowe's for some 4" potters. I came back with an African Violet, a new plug for my Prayer Plant, and this little guy there on my potting table for my dish garden.

I am not a plant expert, by any means, but I know how plants make me feel. I'm a caretaker and sculptor and a peacemaker and an ar-TEEST, and one who is kind to the Earth. And it's pure magic how a little green takes away the Winter blues!