I ordered basil on a gray, overcast and chilly March day in Afghanistan. I knew spring was springing in "the Lou" and I was homesick for green. Turns out, you can order green and have it shipped to your doorstep. Even in Afghanistan.
The basil arrived on an even colder, grayer, overcast-er day. I ripped open the package, took a big whiff of the "soil" (not "dirt", as was previously mislabelled) and introduced my uninspiring little basil seeds to their new friends, parsley and chives, planted them together in the galvanized steel garden and told them to "play nice" with one another. And they did!
Of course, everyone had their suspicions about what was growing in the pots on the balcony in front of the Security Office and who am I to confirm or deny their suspicions? And honestly, growing basil, parsely and chives ... and, oh yeah, did I mention I have a separate, identical container devoted entirely to strawberries? ... makes about as much sense as cultivating my very own Mary Jane. After all, it's not like I have a kitchen, or even if I did, that I would actually cook anything, but the basil makes sense to me. It's like a very low-maintenance pet. I water it, I make sure it has sunlight and shade. I try not to kill it. I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction each day thatit didn't droop over dead while I slept. No, I'm not going to break into a text version of Elton's, "The Ciiircle of Liiiifffe" - but if they ever make my life into a movie ... :)
1 comment:
Your plants are lovely and appear to be growing quite nicely! I am very proud of you and thank goodness they don't have to worry about being cooked!!! lol Enjoy your little garden of green and know that you are loved as much as you love your plants!!! :)
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