Thanks to all of you honest folks willing to confess both your aversion to and necessity for the dreaded tarps. A few days ago I took the long way home, in hot pursuit of those infamous blighted cloaks. Typically I don't give attention to such things so it was quite a surprise to see, 8 within a span of ten minutes. And a Toyota Tundra I had "mistaken" for a tarp given its neon blue shell.
However, all kidding aside, a twinge of guilt has plagued me since viewing footage of Haiti and realizing that many Haitians would be thrilled to own a tarp. It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it?
A few weeks ago, Hubby and I drove to Home Depot. Naturally it took a mere nanosecond upon entering for both of us to beeline to our preferred destinations. Do you and your spouse ever do this? I bet you can't guess where I went. The outside garden area was pathetically devoid of enticements. Not even a scattering of Perlite on the cement. Houseplants, however, were aplenty. Spotting these succulents prompted reaching for my camera, conveniently tucked away in my purse for just such instances.
Cool, aren't they?
Cool, aren't they?
Please indulge me as I venture off-topic for a sec.
Change "guy" to "gal" and sadly, in a few more years this might be me.
Having this possibly absurd idea of getting my work published, I subscribe to
Guide to Literary Agents, a blog written by editor, Chuck Sambuchino who skillfully bridges the gap between hopeful writers and the esoteric world of publishing. Always an interesting read.
Guide to Literary Agents, a blog written by editor, Chuck Sambuchino who skillfully bridges the gap between hopeful writers and the esoteric world of publishing. Always an interesting read.
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45 COMMENTS, Click here to add yours:
Indeed, quite cool, Grace. (Good luck with the book ~ a dream of mine also)!
Dear Grace, I thought your comment about the Toyota was brilliant. It is one of the remarks I should so wish to have written myself.
Over the years I have had absolutely no success at all with house plants so now have given up on them completely. Your pictures may tempt me into having one last try.
Publishing is a notoriously difficult area to enter. Keep going!
You are funny Grace...I bet they would love to have a few tarps in Haiti..what beautiful plants you photographed...love the different shapes and colors....you will be an accomplished author, I just know it!
Hello there Grace girl .. and YES ! The Home Depot thing happens with hubby and I .. plus that bit where you LOSE one of us and the other starts having a hot flash ? haha .. Now you have me NEEDING a trip to ours to see if there is anything of interest in that plant department -> Darn YOU woman ;-)
Good luck with that manuscript mission !
Those succulents are really nice. I just wish they were hardy to my zone as I don't want more houseplants to deal with.
Love the photos! Yes, we're all anxiously awaiting better weather and the first signs of spring which often can be found at our local garden centres before we see them in our gardens.
BTW, Grace, I tried the link to your picasa flower album, but it takes me to the picasaweb home page - presenting me with my albums rather than yours. I don't think it was what you had in mind.
Have a great Sunday! Hank
I have seen tarps EVERYwhere in the past few days. And guess who I think of when I see them? :) But you didn't predict that would happen!
I like the comic. That will be me.
Have you every heard of/done/considered nanowrimo? www.nanowrimo.org
I did/completed this in 2008 and discovered I cannot write fiction. It's a fascinating thing to attempt as you learn so much about yourself.
my 4 year old just told me you have a pretty garden and must work really hard. :)
Grace:
I shall have to peruse the blog you mention further, although I fear with my sardonic and gilt edged writing style, it might be easier to go the self published route! LOL!
It seems to me that this is the only time of year that I devote any time to succulents, and I have pause to question this oddity? Perhaps the shade thing, but with your recent introduction to container gardening..... I no longer have an excuse. Methinks you will find a lot of said filled containers in Teza's Garden as the summer progresses! Thanks!
Snap - your Home Depot sounds like our Homebase. We usually separate on arrival (unless there's a major purchase to be made) - me to gardening, him to hardware and then meet up at the cash tills. Good luck with getting that book published Grace. Fiction or non fiction? We will all be rooting for you!
Yes, we do the same thing at Home Depot. I say, "I'll meet you..." and he says, "I know, in the plant area."
I don't think your idea of getting published is absurd at all, I say "Go for it!"
Your way with words SHOULD be in demand. Take heart in the many stories of fine writers who waded through piles of rejection notices before the first break.
I have had great success with succulents purchased from Home Depot. Hmmm...haven't been there in a while, and that's a mighty fine looking selection. Next time R goes, I will tag along.
Dear Grace, first, you put no title on this post so it can't be 'picked' at blotanical, which I'm sure many would like to do. Second, your sense of humour is delicious, always. Third, I want all those succulents. Fourth, you don't always need an agent. I'm going to Halifax on Tuesday to sign a contract for my second book (on gardening), with possibilities for two others on the doormat too. It takes time. But if you write it and publish it, I'll buy it! So will many others.
I've noticed all the houseplants too in the big box stores... I'm not complaining... this time of year I love to see all that green. The succulents are gorgeous, but I always have trouble growing them... don't know why since I never over water them.
Grace, enough on the blue tarps already! LOL I just rolled two up that were covering some wet cement, but you can't see them from the road. They are indeed loud, aren't they? but, I have never seen any other color. So what are we to do? lol
Grace, I will buy your first copy! Sign me up sister. Diana
Oh, I do hope you write a book, you are such an entertaining writer! So hard to avoid the garden section at Home Depot...is is usually calling me as I enter the door....in all truth I don't even enter the front door, I just go in through the garden section even if I am only shopping for paint!
I love sedum and succulents. :-) What a wonderful variety! Did you purchase a few?
They let you take photos? I had no idea, and never thought to ask.
Jen
Most of the people really like gardening.I am sure they will really like this post because they will learn a lot by reading this article.
Grace, You have the home depot, lowes scene down. We do b line to our own directions finally rendevouzing after a brief contact on the cell phone. What did I do before those damn things? Pretty much wandered around looking for him aimlessly in home depot. As for the publishing, I would find it hard to believe that someone with your writing savy and humor wouldn't get published. I have a feeling your day will arrive. They always find good talent eventually. I am rooting for you.
Glad you had your camera with you at Home Depot...succulents are so pretty, especially in groupings like that. Perhaps many of us have a secret desire to get published...I've been a closet journalist ever since I majored in journalism in college-and then switched to psychology at the last minute. My husband has a book in review right now!! Who knows? It's only the 3rd time it's been sent out...maybe 3rd times a charm?!
PS...please come over and participate in my Earth Day give away!
Funny about the tarps. Nothing says "country" like a bright blue tarp! I have other eyesores here, but tarps are safely stashed. Phew. Good luck with your book! I think the publishing world is about to be completely upended by digital readers, so maybe it will provide new opportunities for writers to get their work out there. You can count me as at least one sale, when you get there!
If I understand it right, you're gonna publish a book! Wow .. that's great! Good luck!
Oh Grace, you are so right about the tarps and those who would be thrilled to have them. Well said. And I was looking for your post, is disappeared early this morning and now here it is with a title, and a funny one too. That Jodi is a doll. Now about those succulents! Wowee kazowee! Your shots are superb, what a great gardening fix when the cupboards outside at the big box are bare. That looks like a brand new shipment, drool pant. We have a pot ready in the greenhouse here, just awaiting the new arrivals.
Frances
Hi Grace,
Have you contacted Timber Press? They are a great publisher and stationed in Portland. One of their editors, Tom Fischer, has a great blog. Google him.
Cindee
That is not an absurd idea at all Grace! Keep that dream alive! I'm rooting for you.
I have a visual of you & your hubby parting ways at the entrance of HD! I always first go your direction, then sometimes wander in other directions, especially, like you said, when the greenhouse is empty. Ours doesn't have near the selection of succulents that yours does tho. Isn't it interesting that their stock changes from location to location? If I go one town over, I'm liable to find completely different stuff. Anyway, I got off topic, I just wanted to say it's a really nice assortment you so handily photographed for us. :-)
Love the succulent pics, Grace. I won't be left behind if hubs is making a trip to HD or Lowes. The selections can be surprising: last summer I score three different agaves in one trip
Do keep trying to get your book published. Like all your readers, I would definitely buy one (or more - great gifts for gardening friends)!
We have similar experiences at Home Depot and Lowe's, Grace! But we both come home happy, so that's good. I'm pleased to report that the only tarps we own are brown. And they're buried somewhere in the garage. Well, hubby might have ones I don't know about for camping, so I shouldn't sound too smug. A blue one might be hiding somewhere.
as far as my beating heart, well it's still beating..lol Going for labs on the 18th to see if I am retaining the potassium supplements they put me on, if so, I stop taking them for a week or so and see if I am still retaining the potassium..if not, heck I don't know...But----I have been feeling wonderful...thank you for asking Grace.
Oh yes, the scenario you describe at the big-box home improvement store fits us to a T! And wow those succulents are fabulous, who would have thought!?
Hi, Grace ~ Yes, my husband goes one way and I'm in the gardening department and he usually ends up meeting me there.
Keeping plugging away at the publishing ~ You can do it! I sure do enjoy your writing!
Tell me more about your book or direct me to the post I obviously missed. I do really want to hear about it!~~The more I talk with my writing buddies in our writing group the more convinced I am that I am happy blogging...
Love the succulents and they would look especially delightful in a wreath if only I had the design talent to create!
Gail
If I'd had my camera in my purse, I'd have taken photos of the houseplants at Walmart this weekend to post on the blog. You beat me to it! At least it's SOMETHING! I love the succulents, too. They have such intriguing form and are usually so easy to grow.
Grace, the succulents are beautiful. Luckily you had your camera with you. You certainly have a way with words. I like how they flow effortlessly as you write your post. I definitely have a lot to learn just from reading your blog. Good luck on your book!
Ah yes, my post today is dedicated to you.
I hope that that dream becomes a reality for you. You deserve to be published... you are a terrific writer and it is always a pleasure to read your blog, Grace!
Rosey
You'll be published, Grace. I know it in my heart. Timing is everything even when it's not on your schedule. lol. I must say that I can't believe they didn't catch you and toss you our of the HD for taking pictures. They are pretty funny about that kind of stuff. Learned from experience on that one. Hope your winter is going well~
I laughed at the cartoon! I can identify. I have written a book and so far I haven't been able to get anyone to even look at it. Thanks for the link to the literary agents. On the topic of Home Depot, I was there yesterday and the pickings were slim. No succulents in sight, just some cold stressed shrubs. Those in your store are lovely.
Grace,
Mr. Meems tries very hard NOT to get near a Home Depot with me... ours is full of plants like its spring time right now. You are (at least)the third blog today featuring succulents... they really are all the rage these days. I may become a fan yet.
I am very confident you will keep writing and someone is going to pick up your talent and publish your book ... never give up your dreams. I'll buy it when it hits the shelves!
Meems
Hi Grace,
Just read your comment on my blog. What I didn't mention is that Lyric's conversation went like, "Wow, her garden is really pretty. She must work really hard. How old is she?" :) of course she meant it in a - the older you are the smarter/better/more awesome garden you have.
Those are very fat looking succulents. Wish you all the luck in getting your book published.
Its surely a hard work but worth it.
Hardware stores were once the domain of men. Women could find nothing among the nuts, washers and flanges that interested them. Stores like Home Depot and Farm and Fleet have put the romance back into shopping. The men can still hang out in the flange department and the women can grab some plants on the way to check out the newest kitchen designs and area rugs:)
Marnie
Oh I think it would be wonderful if you published a book. I know it's a feat to navigate the publishing world, but if it's your dream you really must pursue it, I'm just sure you'll find success.
Oh Grace that is so good of you to mention the usefulness of tarps for people in desperate circumstances. As for your getting work published ... if we are talking garden book here... with your wit and gorgeous gardens and photos to prove it ... I am amazed at your having trouble getting published. May 2010 be your year! I am working on a book ... a proposal ... not feeling very inspired these days. The publishing industry is so bad off... then there is Jodi ... who knows!?
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