This week has been amazing in so many ways—and eye-opening in others.
This week has been amazing in so many ways—and eye-opening in others.
I literally just start writing and see where it goes, because to be honest, there are so many thoughts bouncing around in my head right now that tapping the keys is the only way to turn them into a cohesive stream of consciousness.
The first realization that hit me is that contact and real communication are where I find myself in this world.
Sure, I can type—but that’s really just me thinking with my fingers. Video, on the other hand, still feels like shouting into a void. It’s hard for me to do, even though my daughter constantly reminds me that I need to make video content. I’ve even considered taping a camera to my My Pet Monster and letting him be the face on the other side of the lens.
(Yes, I still have my stuffed animal from when I was 6. No, I don’t sleep with him in bed. No, I don’t think he’s real… but he’s a staple that has lived in every home I’ve ever had, giving me a quiet sense of familiarity. Can we move on now, or do I need to keep defending my childhood monster? 😊)
Small Worlds and Unexpected Connections
Anyway, back on subject.
My daughter’s boyfriend’s mom posted a plant sale online, which intrigued me. They’ve been dating for close to a year, and I had no idea his mom was a fellow plant person. Turns out, she wasn’t—her mother-in-law (his grandma) was! I had to check it out.
When I arrived, the grandmother was the absolute sweetest lady. We got to talking, and I learned she used to sell at the local farmer’s market, but this year it just wasn’t in the cards. To be honest, that surprised me—I always assumed farmer’s markets were just produce.
That conversation convinced me to go check out the local market on Saturday, and it was amazing. The hobbies I love were everywhere. It almost felt like I’d finally found a local community. It even inspired me to consider getting a booth next spring—even if I don’t sell a single thing, just being around people with similar interests sounds like a blast.
Then I got home to a message from someone who had bought a plant from me, asking about my substrate recipe. (Truthfully, I just mix ingredients until it looks and feels right). In chatting with her, I mentioned the plant sale, and she told me about another plant sale nearby. Turns out, that seller was the grandmother of one of my daughter’s best friends since kindergarten!
It’s a small world—and apparently, a world full of passionate grandmas. (Though considering I’m becoming a grandpa next month, I guess I’m almost fitting right into the club!)
She told me about regional plant exhibitions and added me on social media to keep me in the loop for future events. Just like that, new horizons were opening up for old loves.
The $80 Grow Tent Miracle
And if that wasn’t enough, I stumbled across a grow tent on Facebook Marketplace.
If you watch plant YouTubers, you’ve seen those massive tents and thought, “That looks incredible,” followed immediately by, “That’s way too expensive.”
This one was listed for eighty dollars. I thought, No way… is this real? I messaged the seller, and sure enough, a full 5×10 grow tent was available. I got it, set it up, and I love it! It’s definitely a space commitment—my plant room feels like it lost a quarter of its floor space—but it’s completely worth it.
The Takeaway
What’s the moral of all this rambling? Love what you do, and truly enjoy it.
I had stressed myself out so much about forcing “video content”—when maybe that’s just not my natural path. If I make videos, it’s probably just going to be a recorded version of these exact ramblings… without the benefit of me editing out my sarcasm. (And honestly, if I edited out the sarcasm, the video would be ten seconds long!)
Sometimes the best moments and best medicine come purely by chance. Those are the times we can look back on, smile, and say: “Didn’t see that one coming.”