Monthly Archives: January 2023

An Aspidistra [blooms] in Bethesda

Obsessions, Plant, Television, , ,

When I was still living with my parents I used to live for Sunday nights when I could settle in front of the TV and watch Masterpiece Theatre with Alistair Cooke on Channel 11, our local PBS station. One of the mini-series’ I remember watching was Country Matters, a dramatization of stories by H. E. Bates. The one dramatization I remembered most of all was An Aspidistra in Babylon. Actually I really only remembered the title and because of that I wanted an aspidistra, or cast iron plant, of my own.

I found one, years ago, at a yard sale in Savannah, Georgia. I bought it and foolishly planted it in the yard. The person having the sale said it would do well in our yard, but perhaps she didn’t understand we were from a state quite a bit north of hers.

For my birthday this year Andrew and Alex gave me an aspidistra after hearing me mourn the fact that I’ve never found one. It’s spindly and only has two leaves, but it seems to be thriving.

Before we left for our trip to Southern California for Christmas I noticed a new green bump near the soil and was overjoyed, thinking I was getting a new leaf. I’ve checked it regularly — usually when I water it (rarely because it hates wet feet) — and there never seemed to be any change. Yesterday was watering day and I noticed that it had developed some markings, not unlike a demogorgon with a closed mouth.

Today I took another look. The demogorgon’s mouth opened! It wasn’t a new leaf after all, it was a flower!

Dad’s 4th grade report card

Family, Things, ,

I’ve posted some of Dad’s other report cards, here’s his 4th grade card.

He seemed to have trouble working and playing with others, was not very polite and didn’t show much regard for the opinions and wishes of others. He was also distractable and rarely on time. He also didn’t get his work in on time. He had trouble with obstacles and with using his own resources.

Hmm — maybe that’s where I got my ADHD. I always thought it was Mom.

Found Items: Happy Birthday Dad

Family, Memories, Things, ,

My mom must have kept all these letters and notes — typical. Here’s a note written sometime after we moved to Alexandria.

Dad --

I am really sorry for being so late in sending you a card. Believe me -- I had quite a case of the guilts -- especially after talking to you. I have no excuse except procrastination.

Dean and I went to Annapolis, MD and got you this shot glass (they didn't have any martini pitchers). Hope it got there in one piece.

Well, the stove is hooked up, the dishwasher and garbage disposal are ready for an electrician to get electricity to them. and I've used the washer already. We will probably wallpaper ("ooh ick" you say?) over the weekend, then paint. The kitchen will be done soon! We will send pictures.

How was your birthday dinner? And the "golden ball" afterward at the Moose? Hope it was fun.

We ordered cable tonight. Our antenna was trashed in the most recent snowfall.

I've also enclosed my most recent school photograph. I don't have a use for it. Feel free to lose it! I'm looking my age -- wrinkles and all!

Even though I am a grown up and married, I get so lonesome for you guys sometimes it hurts.

Love,
Dona

I don’t remember writing or sending this, but I remember the shot glass — it had a Naval theme. I remember working on the kitchen in our first house. We put in very late nights wallpapering, I remember that.