REFLECTIONS

Helping to Pack Fun with Dad

I bought these beautiful succulents hoping to plant them in my terrarium.  They were the smallest plants the store had, small enough to fit.  When I looked for advice on the web about terrariums and succulents I learned that you can do it but it's not such a good idea.  I know I should have done more research before buying the plants.  I was just too eager to get started. I learned the reason why succulents are not so good in terrariums is because they require a dryer atmosphere with air circulation.  The terrarium is damp and closed in.  If I use the succulents it might still work out, at least for several months.  But I want a longer life without watching the plants die. I fell in love with these plants and did not have the heart to return them. Besides, they only cost about three dollars each.   While I was at the store I bought a bag of colorful stones for the bottom of the glass container.

My brother-in-law gave my wife a beautiful flower arrangement, which came in a nicely shaped glass container.  It was for mother's day.  It's perfect for a terrarium, so I want to give it a try.  I found an ideal place for it on my desk. The image above is from the net.  Looks like there are too many plants crowded into a small space but I'm sure it's just for demonstration. Here's my container: It's not very large, just over 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide at the bottom and top to 6 inches at the widest: When it's finished I'll place it near the clock on my desk somewhere: I found these directions: But how do I find plants I like that are small enough and won't grow too much? That's the hard part. Maybe I'll have to try something on this photo: To me they all look too large to fit.  Maybe it will be better to use only one plant or even smaller plants than the ones in the photo

Time for breakfast.  He's a good bunny, never eats the flowers. Here's another view.

Lynette is sure she did not plant this Lily behind the Poker plants.  Maybe it was the wind carrying the seeds.  Maybe it was a squirrel.

While looking through some old boxes, putting things in order, I found this old copy of the Desiderata. " Desiderata  (Latin: "desired things") is a 1927  prose poem  by American writer  Max Ehrmann . Largely unknown in the author's lifetime, the text became widely known after its use in a devotional and after spoken-word recordings in 1971 and 1972."     ~Wikipedia It must have made a strong impression on me because it's been in the box for over 30 years.  It still has great meaning for me. Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for