I just found this, now I've put it on my Kindle, and realized the reason I didn't know about it is that it was originally published under her other pen name, Gordon Daviot. It's been reissued under the better known name, but the style is quite different.
And yesterday I finally got tired of wrangling this awkward plant, name escapes me, originally brought to me years ago, as a dumpster rescue by Gary, which I cut into three, giving him one which is doing fine.
This one was growing long and tall and bending all over, so I cut it back, you see the white stump. Another plant will spring from there. And I just pushed the cut off top, having discarded a long stem, straight back into the pot. Last time I did this, they all flourished, so I hope it happens again. It's better than having it collapse out of the pot, anyway.
On the subject of winnowing, Handsome Son asked what about my plants after I'm gone. Good thinking. And I realized I don't have to wait that long. They're a lot of work and I don't have energy to burn.
So I've arranged with the library to pass on the big ones, including the ficus, to them. I'll see them when I want, but they'll care for them. The library building is all windows, great for plants, and they're keen to build up a collection to make the environment greener. They've taken good care of the begonia I donated.
I need to wait for milder weather to do this, so it's a spring plan. No more wrangling the ficus outside again! I've given her fifty years of care, so it's someone else's turn.
Happy day, everyone, and is there something you can hand over and stop wrestling with? Kitties not included.
