Jet vs Sweet Potato Plant

Yesterday and for the benefit of my kitty, Jet, I have had to say good bye to the sweet potato plant. Growing so nicely, it was almost 10 inches tall, with a total of eight leaves and more tiny ones yet to unfurl. Jet saw it as a source of nutrition. First, one of the big bright green leaves attracted his sharp teeth. I moved it out of his reach - I thought. Then a second leaf showed the ravages of his teeth. In the meantime I researched ‘toxicity of sweet potato plants on felines’. Digestive upset and hallucinatory effects concerned me. There were minor effects - jumping back from his water as though he’d seen something frightening; digestive upset that didn’t stop him from eating or drinking. After a couple more days of trying to keep plant and cat separate, I decided to apologize to my little bit of greenery and let it go.

“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”

~ Robert A. Heinlein,  Time Enough for Love

Each Tomorrow

The little plant grew without my interference. Started out as one of three sprouts from a sweet potato that I hadn’t gotten around to eat. With a good chunk of sweet potato, I planted the sprouts. After several months, they sat in the soil looking sad. Two of the sprouts had dried up. I was going to throw it out but hesitated and set it outside. I had amended the soil with used coffee grounds and watered it now and then. I ignored it for the most part until one day I saw the tiniest little growth, and then a leaf. With the heat, it has become a lovely little plant that gives me one more leaf every couple of days. The beautiful little leaves make me happy!

Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better.”

~ Charles Dickens

Patience and a Drink of Water

Two Leaves

A sweet potato - or was it a yam sat on my kitchen counter patiently waiting it’s turn for…..it sprouted. Three long sprouts standing at attention and, I’m sure, staring at me. I finally cut out the potato, planted it in a pot, in soil….some time in April. I was ready to throw it out but each day decided to give it one more day. Two weeks ago I saw a tiny green shoot that opened into a real leaf. I set the pot outside to get the sun and the shade and some good rain water. In the last two days, in two very hot days, two more leaves have sprouted. The new little one is so tiny it is easy to miss, but by tomorrow I expect to see another full leaf. Sweet potato plants are really quite lovely.

Three Leaves: look closely!

“Why is patience so important?”

“Because it makes us pay attention.”

~ Paul Coelho, author