Admissions

Like many people (?), my interests and passions have changed over the years. A rather large chunk of my life was devoted to gardening once upon a time. No more. Certainly not exclusively,  but usually if a plant is in the ground, especially native plants, they tend to grow regardless of care or most recently around this house, a lack thereof.

My garden was never formal or organized. It was for the most part a specimen garden. I wanted to grow as many unique plants as our space allowed. The garden flourished as long as it was watered on a regular basis. But who wants to water all of the time? Plus, here in Houston we’ve had several extreme seasons in a row — freezing winters and exceedingly hot summers. The garden still hasn’t recovered but what do I care?

OK, I care a little bit. Which is why, when daughter Anna pointed out this vine growing into our house from outside a few weeks ago, I didn’t have the heart to yank it out. From what I remember, it’s a Mexican flame vine….which has a lovely orange flower and if it blooms inside, that’ll just be a bonus.  The trellis on which it was originally growing was blown down in  a hurricane (Rita, Katrina, or Ike) a few years ago and never replaced. It’s hot outside — again. Where else is it supposed to go?

Welcome home, little vine. I will love you and hug you and call you George. Just kidding — but not really.