Simplicity At A Time Like This

Contemporary life and civilization have become overwhelmingly complex.  So complex that doing something very simple comes as a relief.  There's a start and a finish to simple tasks; the satisfaction of accomplishment follows.  After our recent fairly generous rainfall, the soil soft and yielding, weeding is that simple, satisfying task. 
Start:
 Finish:
 Ahh! Satisfaction:
Another simple task, also satisfying.
Insert food here.  Now. 
Result: instant dog happiness! 
Simplicity!

Now seven weeks on, my broken arm is stronger and flexible enough to drive again, just in time for Covid-19 to induce us all to stay home.  Good timing.  I did venture out to a big box store.  The gardening department was ideal for "social distancing"--pretty much deserted--far from the madding crowd at the nearby Target panic-buying toilet paper.  It was a surprise to see an unfamiliar Leucadendron for sale inexpensively at a big box store, so it came home.  

Leucadendron 'Harlequin' is described as shorter and more compact than the standards 'Safari Sunrise', 'Safari Goldstrike', and the like.  Back in the garden, I cleared away some Dymondia and got 'Harlequin' right into the ground. 
 Looks plain right now, but the branch tips will color up, as Leucadendrons do.
The label on the container was a hoot.  The harried overworked grower no doubt used the text of a different plant's label and modified it, but didn't modify it enough.  
 What "favorite tropical houseplant" do you suppose the label originally described?  Leucadendron is not tropical, not a houseplant, not usually striped, is better drying out somewhat between waterings, shouldn't be fed at all, and needs sun, not shade.

Simple amusement helps at a time like this. 

Comments

  1. At least there's a plentiful supply of pet food available, or there was last week when I did a run anyway. Shopping for people food and supplies online or in stores is a whole different bag! 'Harlequin' sounds like a dwarf 'Jester' maybe? Although at the moment it looks more like 'Summer Red'.

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    1. I was thinking to try Ralph's pick-up system, they select and bag and load it into your car, but that's probably overwhelmed. Alan scrounged some milk and veggies from a mostly empty Pavillions last night before he came home from work, so we're good for a few more days. Now Newsome has issued the stay home order so he'll be home for a month. I worry about where we get the dog food, a small local one-woman store--how will she stay afloat?

      No stripes on 'Harlequin', maybe quite similar to 'Summer Red'--we'll find out!

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  2. Even the simple task of weeding is balm for the craziness all around us. Your dog thinks so too. I too visited our local garden center for some hort therapy. No crowds, hardly any people but at this time of year a riot of colour and joy for winter weary gardeners. Yes simple joys are the best.

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    1. Yes indeed it is balm for the soul, though there is some occasional bad language when the occasional weed refuses to come out of the ground. Otherwise very peaceful!

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  3. Very satisfying to get a new purchase straight into its new home!

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    1. It's really a relief--no worries about keeping it in good health in a pot. Potted plants here highly vulnerable to drying out.

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  4. Good to hear you are getting around good with your mended arm. That sweet Boris. He makes me smile even without a treat. Just goes to show, never trust a plant tag.

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    1. "Never trust a plant tag" Ha! So true!!!!!!!

      Arm starting to come back on-line. Feel very lucky about that. Thanks!

      Boris and his great big brown puppy dog eyes. He's a joy.

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  5. Well I have to say that is the worst tag-thing I have ever seen. But you're right, it does have amusement value.

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  6. Weeding is a very satisfying activity, isn't it? Your dog is a cutie.

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    1. Yes, weeding = instant improvement. Not a lot of things provide that.

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  7. I've always liked tropical plants.

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  8. Excellent score on the leucadendron!

    I did a little weeding yesterday and you're right, it felt good. Gardening has so many of those simple tasks. Today I've got a target in mind for some pruning.

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    1. Thanks, I hope it grows. Weather improving for you to get out there, great! Enjoy.

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  9. I had the same joy as you, pulling a few unwanted things from my area's moist sandy loam, as well as dead-heading native wildflowers recolonizing. A good leg workout!

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    1. So much easier when the soil is moist, isn't it?

      I'm still at it. Did not mulch enough last year, this spring paying the price!

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