Plastic Plants

James, my brother-in-law, has a green thumb & knows all about plants. He can nurse anything back to life. He rescued a Pony Tail Palm from a co-worker several years ago and now it is on his porch and is about 5 feet tall. One thing James truly hates is plastic plants. And I totally agree. Why would anyone have a plastic plant? Most plastic plants and flowers are just darn ugly and generally don't look like any actual plant.

This visual specimen of polymer chains is in my Bible Study class. It is usually in the front of the class behind the teacher. I can not focus enough to listen with this "plant" in my view. I try get to class early and move this thing to the back of the room. I think it looks evil and the branch with the missing fronds reminds me of an arm with the hand cut off.

This "lovely" arrangement is on the piano. It is dreary and dusty. I go into a deep depression just looking at it.

This was ugly in 1970.

I always prefer real flowers and plants, with their special scents & colors. Some of my best memories are of yellow roses for birthdays, red roses for Valentines, and life plants for special occasions. Plastic seems to say "I'm here, but my heart's not in it."

As a Wimpy-mother-of-three I am finding that life is too short for anything fake.

Winston!

This is Winston - my adopted Greyhound. I got him from the kennel in West Memphis that rescues the dogs when they are retired from racing. The rescue kennel is located right behind the dog track.

Winston has led an exciting life. He has run and won a lot of races over the last 5 years. I'm sure he has made some body a LOT of money! His racing name was "License to Win"; I changed it to more reflect his stoic personality. All Winston has ever known is racing! I have tried to teach Winston how to play, chase after toys, and shake for treats. Win has the "treat thing" down.

One thing I have not had to teach Winston is how to relax! Greyhounds have 2 speeds - 35 miles/hour or O miles/hour! Winston can lay around all day! He takes his retirement very seriously. As a Wimpy mother-of-three active boys, this was a lesson to me. This year has found me in a partially empty nest. Instead of mourning and longing for the past, I need to move on to the next stage of life. The book of Daniel tells us that God changes the times and the seasons. (Daniel 2:21) Change is true of our lives as well and God sends us different "seasons" of life. Winston and I are entering a new season of our lives: Retirement from racing for Winston; retirement from intense child rearing for me. Let the good times begin for a Wimpy mother-of-three!