Saturday, November 21, 2009
Flora in the City
These are some flora I have been cultivating for the past 2 years in pots. I keep them at the laundry area outside my room on the 3rd floor of the flat. I started going green about 4 years ago when I purchased an oregano plant outside the Quiapo church. It was quite an experience since Quiapo is the place to go to if anyone wants almost anything --including abortifacients. Horrible, but true. To my consternation, while looking at the strange herbs and roots on display, I was mistaken as someone looking for the "fix". Ugh. Mortified, I hurriedly asked for oregano, paid for it and went home.
Oregano, being not fussy, is very easy to grow--all you need is a leaf ,loam soil, water and the sun. No need to pay too much attention either; just remember to water it every other day, and before you know it, the plant has taken over the whole place. It is so unlike other plants which require constant watch for bugs like aphids or killer caterpillars--the ones that don't metamorphose into butterflies. Oregano is not only a low maintenance plant, it generously emits a certain minty scent too, once anything brushes against it.
My plant population started to grow when my Mother brought home a foot-high Angel plant from the mall. It is now almost 8 ft tall, lush with green leaves and white flowers, providing afternoon shade outside my room.
The yellow-orange hisbiscus (aka gumamela)has been with me for about a year now, and its stems are pregnant with flowers, always a delight to see first thing in the morning.
For fertilizers, I keep a covered container where I let vegetables and leaves putrefy. It's a sort of a compost pit in a bucket.
Oregano, being not fussy, is very easy to grow--all you need is a leaf ,loam soil, water and the sun. No need to pay too much attention either; just remember to water it every other day, and before you know it, the plant has taken over the whole place. It is so unlike other plants which require constant watch for bugs like aphids or killer caterpillars--the ones that don't metamorphose into butterflies. Oregano is not only a low maintenance plant, it generously emits a certain minty scent too, once anything brushes against it.
My plant population started to grow when my Mother brought home a foot-high Angel plant from the mall. It is now almost 8 ft tall, lush with green leaves and white flowers, providing afternoon shade outside my room.
The yellow-orange hisbiscus (aka gumamela)has been with me for about a year now, and its stems are pregnant with flowers, always a delight to see first thing in the morning.
For fertilizers, I keep a covered container where I let vegetables and leaves putrefy. It's a sort of a compost pit in a bucket.
Tin and Patrick
Since I put up the Christmas tree a few days ago, our 4-yr- neighbor, Tin Tin has taken to her daily afternoon visits again. Yesterday was no exception. I barely opened the door locks when the little girl appeared from nowhere, grabbed the doorknob, eagerly turning it, so she can enter the flat. Upon successfully opening the door, she immediately made a beeline to the waiting tree. Busying herself inspecting the little toys hanging on the branches, she immediately spotted the aquawoman toy and turned the winding key at its side. Tin has fancied the same toy the moment she laid eyes on it last year, and I gave it to her when she asked for it, but she always returned it afterwards, just like she did a while ago.
There are other winding toys by the tree, some hanging on the branches, others are at its foot, and Tin found them all. After sampling each toy and getting tired of them, she spotted the Grimace paper hand puppet. The ever curious preschooler took it from its perch and asked " Ano 'to?" (What is this?) I showed her how to play with the puppet, and the tyke, in her 4 year old self,rightaway launched a question and answer game. She also named the hand puppet Patrick. Ha! Ha! It must have been a mouthful to say Grimace, especially because she has no front teeth.
Here's a sample of her questions: "Sino'ng mahal mo?" (This roughly translates to who is your sweetheart?)- "Ikaw." (You.)Upon hearing my answer, she just flung herself at me, and kissed my cheek.
Kids have a certain simplicity and spontaneity devoid of malice and schemes, which allow them the freedom to express affection and to be easily accepted and reciprocated. Few people manage to keep this simplicity without becoming simpletons. How fortunate are the little people, how blessed they are for indeed they get to open locked doors, appreciate little things, share their blessedness and be blessed in return.
Tin ended up coming and going at least 5 times last night. She made her presence known with a knock and "Hello po." She returned again this morning, as I was brushing my teeth, to play with Patrick the hand puppet. When I return home this afternoon, I'm looking forward to another few moments of pure, unadulterated bliss rendered by an extremely gregarious little girl.
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