Sunday, August 7, 2011

A Pothos Tale . . .

This pothos sits on top of our mantle all year, except for Christmas, when I usually move it to decorate for the holidays.  It was given to me in a tiny 3-inch pot by a co-worker for my birthday, about eight years ago.  This is a hardy plant.  I'm always forgeting to water it, and the sunshine that it gets comes mostly from the skylight in the room.  And yet, despite benign neglect, it keeps on thriving.

Pothos lovers of my acquaintance prefer to let the branches grow long, and as they grow, find little supports for it, until eventually the leaves around the pot are scraggly, but the branches form a beautiful bough in the room.  I prefer to trim back those long branches, keeping the plant looking full and lush, but fairly contained. 


Below is my son, John's, pothos.  He's taken the clippings I've cut from the mother plant, rooted them, and has been working for about three years on making it a viable and beautiful plant.  At times, the poor thing has looked like nothing more than a science experiment.  But slowly, it has improved, thanks in large part to John's tenacity.  He takes it with him to college, and when it comes home, it sits on the mantle keeping company with its mother.


Both my son and his plant, went back to college this past week.  The house feels empty, and, as always, I'm a little lost right now.  I wonder if my pothos is feeling lost as well . . .


Seasonal Sunday Teapot copy

12 comments:

Jojo said...

I can't believe how early schools are starting these days! Is it old age...the year keeps getting shorter! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Looks like your party was a fun one!

Jojo said...

And now I'm following you! Looking forward to keeping in touch.

Snap said...

Be sure to talk to both pothos! They will get lonely, too! Lovely story and have a wonderful week.

From the Kitchen said...

Hi Maria: I've been "visiting" this lazy afternoon and found you over at Jo Jo's. Just stopped by to say hello and loved reading about your plant. Most especially, I liked your "morning after the party". I can wait until the next morning and enjoy the memories. My husband cannot. Therefore, he cleans up. So far, it works!!

Best,
Bonnie

The French Hutch said...

Sweet and sad, story. I love plants too but the only house plants I seem to keep alive are the ivy and ferns, mostly ivy. I know your feeling sad with your son away at college. Its hard to get use to them being gone and when you do they're back, with lots of laundry. Break time. Stay busy, that was my secret..........

~Emily
The French Hutch

Sarah said...

Definitely a hardy plant. It's one of the few i have luck with inside the house. ;-)
Sweet story about your son nurturing his plant.

Reds said...

Goodbyes are so hard :( - I am sure the plant will miss its baby as much as you will miss yours!

Jill said...

Awww. I'm sorry. I keep hoping it will be a little easier for me, because I'm used to my kids spending half their weekends and the occasional holiday at their dad's. But I thought sending my daughter off to Israel would be easier for that same reason, and it totally wasn't. I ***sobbed*** all the way home from the airport when I sent her to Israel. And we don't live all that close to the airport!

So...I'm sorry about the empty feeling. But at the same time, I'm really, really impressed that a college aged kid has cared for a plant for three years! I can barely keep a house plant alive NOW at age 42!

Nicki said...

I have one that has at some point or another been relocated to a different room in the house (except perhaps the laundry room or the kid's rooms) and I'm with you on keeping them groomed back (they just look a bit healthier). 1 1/2 weeks until my girl is off to college - I wish I could throw an anchor on these final days to make them last just a bit longer.

The Tablescaper said...

So sorry to hear that your son is back to school already. The summer just goes way too quick. Great to have your post being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Marlis said...

A beautiful plant. I have one too and it gets neglected on top of the refrig.. but it thrives and I too keep the runners from getting long..
xo marlis

Southhamsdarling said...

Hi there. You very kindly left a comment on my blog, so I have popped over to have a peek at yours! Think I will follow you from over here in England if you don't mind! I'm sure John's little pothos is feeling pretty lonely too. It's never nice when the house is all empty again. My daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and little dog returned home to France last week after spending a couple of weeks with us. House really quiet now!!!