Thursday, August 19, 2010

My Bold Bonus Life: 11

Well, I screwed up.

I'm here in New York apartment-sitting, with the simple duties of watering the plants and bringing in the mail. You'd think I could handle that.

But I let one of the plants on the terrace go too long without water. Its prognosis is now iffy.

I've sent my confession and apology to Audrey Hepburn (that's the way I think of the New Yorker who owns this apartment). I didn't want her to discover the news here first.

I feel bad.

And, as regular readers here may already know, I have a touch of mild-to-medium obsessive-compulsive disorder of the type known as scrupulosity: fear of doing wrong, of accidentally hurting somebody, that sort of thing.

I've done the best I can to turn my upset to action to fix the situation as well as possible. I'm trying to ID the plant. Have sent photos of the troubled creature to two NY Botanic Gardens and an extension agent back home in NC. Been to three plant stores this afternoon. No help. At one of them, the guy didn't know a leaf from a stem. (I should talk!)

In the meantime, I'm hoping that watering and misting and staring at the plant will help.

Again, I'm sorry, Audrey Hepburn and my friends who helped to entrust me with her plants. I'm striving to make it up to you.



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8 comments:

MitMoi said...

OMG ... I think plants are IMPOSSIBLE. I feel SO sorry for you.

Seriously - it they are thirsty, they should do something about it ... like grow little tenticles that reach to the sink/shower/tub/toilet and take care of themselves. :(

Lynne Wogan said...

hmmm how about an identical replacement the way some moms do when they accidentally do something terminal to their kid's s pet fish??? Probably not a good idea. BTW Tam and I had a ginger ale toast to your life in a life tonight at Maximilian's and an arugula salad in your honor (I told her you were humoring me with the food reports and arugula was on your menu twice.)

Lynne Wogan said...

I'm puzzled tho, why does blog traffic affect book publishing????

Peggy Payne said...

Thanks for the sympathy, MitMoi, and the ginger ale toast, Lynne.

And today's food report: I had a lamb sandwich for lunch. I even shot a picture

Peggy Payne said...

In answer to your question, Lynne, a lot of blog traffic is a demonstration of a ready audience for whatever I write. Writers have to prove that now, it seems. It's called "building a platform."

kenju said...

Why don't you post a photo of the plant - maybe some of us will know what it is.

I'd vote for replacing it.

Mamie said...

My cat, also named Audrey Hepburn, says don't worry about it--plants are common and can be replaced. On the other hand, she says, Audrey Hepburns are rare. And forgiving. She hopes you find this information consoling.

FYI I'm doing my part on visiting the blog. :)

Peggy Payne said...

Thank you for the word from your Audrey Hepburn, Mamie. They are indeed rare. And I'm glad to know you have one there.

Also, thanks for adding to the day's number. Somehow this traffic assignment is like telling me to take up ballet.