Planting thoughts, family togetherness and getting soaked
Dear Rachel,
Do plants actually like being kept in pots? On one hand it might be cozy for them. On the other, it might be restrictive, like living in a straitjacket. Maybe they’re missing out on their roots feeling into the big wide world. Or maybe they have all their basic needs met –nutrients, water and sunlight – so they’re content. What do you think?
– Not Easy Being Green
Dear Pot Thoughts,
What do I look like, a botanist? What is happiness to a plant, anyway? Perhaps we could learn a thing or two about being content with some sunlight and water, at least when our roommates think to give some to us. Actually never mind, I can’t even trust those clowns to wipe the counters, so no way I am trusting them with my survival, let alone my happiness.
– Make like a tree and leave, Rachel
Dear Rachel,
I have to go for annual summer “fun” with the family, which means staying at my sister’s house or else offending everyone by getting a hotel. And her home belongs on a cable show but not the beautiful house kind. I am related to HOARDERS. I’m pretty sure I will get black mold poisoning just from being there. Yet family drama is so bad I’m willing to risk disease to prevent it. Survival tips?
– Full House
Dear Jam Packed,
No family drama is worth your wellness and sanity. Why stop at getting a hotel room? Why not get one in another place entirely? Maybe you can find some similar-sounding town name in, I don’t know, Hawaii, Baja or Greece, and “accidentally” book all your accommodations there. Nonrefundable, of course. Then send your sister a postcard to add to her stacks.
– Travel on, Rachel
Dear Rachel,
So the Animas River flows through town. Presumably that means there’s a bunch of underground water alongside the river. How far does that extend into town? What stops it? Or are we all just standing atop river-soaked dirt? I can’t really imagine how a constant water flow doesn’t leave everything sopping wet?
– Dripping with Curiosity
Dear Soggy Questions,
I am not a geology expert, but now there’s yet another reason I want to go back to school and study yet another subject, besides of course putting off regular working adulthood for four more years. I think we should ask this question of the trees. But not the ones stuck in pots so their roots can’t dig down to water. They’re probably too grumpy to help us out anyway.
– Out to dry, Rachel
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