I was in the kitchen with my son Alex when I picked up a box that contained an herb garden kit my sister Liz had given me. “Want to help me put this together?”
“Sure. What do we have to do?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s just stick some seeds in dirt.” I opened the box and began setting the contents on the counter. Planting pots, nine different seed packets and soil discs. I held up the little bamboo plant signs to show Alex. “These are cute!”
Alex nodded as he pulled out the direction booklet. He pointed to that saying that was on the front cover. “Plant your way to joy.”
I laughed as I took the booklet from him. “Let’s see if that’s true.” I began leafing through the booklet when I noticed the heading on page four. “Uh-oh!” I turned the booklet so Alex could see. “It’s never a good sign when it says ‘before you start’.”
I scanned down the page. “It wants us to soak the seeds in warm water for twenty-four hours before we plant them.” I looked at Alex and shrugged my shoulders. “I’ve never heard of that before.” I scanned down further. “Oh, it says it increases their chances for germination if you soak them first.”
Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I guess we’ll be planting our way to joy tomorrow.”
“I guess so.” I began opening the cabinets looking for something to soak the seeds in. “This is getting more involved then I expected.” I pulled out a small juice glass. “I’m going to need nine of these.” I put the juice glass back. “Too big and not enough of them.”
Finally the last cabinet I opened I saw my husband Steven’s shot glass collection. “Perfect!”
I began lining them up on the counter while Alex put a little plant sign in each glass. After filling the glasses with warm water we opened the seed packets and poured them in.
“You can’t even see some of these seeds they’re so small.”
I was peering into one of the glass when my husband Steven walked into the room.
“What are you guys up to?”
“We’re planting an herb garden.” I looked over at Steven. “Did you know you’re suppose to soak the seeds before you plant them?”
Steven nodded his head yes. “It’s increases their chances for germination.”
“How did you know that!”
Steven laughed. “Because I’ve gardened before.”
“I’ve gardened before!” I cried.
Steven just stared at me.
“Okay, fine.” I sighed “Maybe buying a tomato plant and putting it on the back deck isn’t technically gardening.” I made air quotes with my fingers as I said the word gardening.
Alex laughed as he pointed to the shot glasses. “I’m pretty sure this isn’t technically gardening either.”
“Hey!” I swatted him on the arm. “You’re suppose to be helping me!”
“I am!” Alex said. “I’ll help you plant your way to joy tomorrow.”
Slice of Life 