Dear Roommate

Dear Roommate,

Our relationship is vital to you. Apparently you’d die without me. Me? Well, I’m normally very independent. I could live with or without you. Except…and I hate to admit this, but when I moved in with you, I became needy. And not just for the usual perks –  high definition tv, incredible views, newly remodeled kitchen, corner lot and all that storage space – no there is more to it than that. I began to crave your attention. There I’ve said it. When I live out on my own I’m just fine, but when I move in with you I have to have your love and attention.

Before you, my life was all rhythm, all ebb and flow, open and close, back and forth. You should know that I am acutely aware. More than you ever imagined me to be. I may not understand some of the things that you say, I guess I don’t hear things the way that you do, but I always understand your intent. I know when you are happy and loving and boy don’t I know it when you are not.

That time you disappeared for a couple of weeks almost killed me. I sat alone in your bedroom in the dark. I didn’t eat or drink a thing. All I could think about was how you’d abandoned me. As bad as that was, it still wasn’t as bad as the time you “went to visit family in Europe” and let one of your friends move in and stay with me. Ya – good one. That guy had a major drinking problem and seemed bent on giving me one too. All he did was push drinks on me until I was too weak and sick to stand upright.  It took me weeks to dry out and I still haven’t fully recovered to my original vigor.

When you are home you are so busy that you often forget I’m even here. Ah, but when you do stop to speak to me, I’m always so touched by the kind things that you say. And those other times when you speak to me without words, I hear your thoughts and I love you back with every cell of my being. And that is why I thrive around you…and wilt when you are gone.

What gets me through? Luckily my roots grow deep and I’ve got my buds for support.

The human to plant relationship is still really green. There is so much that you don’t yet know about me.

For example, did you know that we plants have what’s called circadian rhythms, which are daily cycle rhythms? Plants sleep at night when photosynthesis ceases to take place and respiration alone continues. Not loud snoring like I hear coming from some of your kind, just soft silent respirating. The truth is we need our sleep just like you.

You may act like you don’t need me at times but –

Oxygen comes from plants everyday while carbon dioxide is taken away.

Yep, you need me. So don’t forget to show me the love I always show you.

Respectfully yours,

House Plant

~~~~~~

A Few Fun Plant Facts

84% of a raw apple is water.

A cucumber is 96% water.

A notch in a tree will remain the same distance from the ground as the tree grows.

A pineapple is a berry.

Almonds are the oldest, most widely cultivated and extensively used nuts in the world.

Americans eat more bananas than any other fruit: a total of 11 billion a year.

Until 1883, hemp was the world’s largest agricultural crop, from which the majority of fabric, soap, paper, medicines,  were produced.

An apple tree is at its prime when its about 50 years old. The United States produces about 100 million barrels of apples a year. That’s a lot of old trees.

An arabica coffee tree can produce up to 12 pounds of coffee a year, depending on soil and climate.

An average ear of corn has 800 kernels, arranged in 16 rows.

Arrowroot, an antidote for poisoned arrows, is used as a thickener in cooking.

Avocados have the highest calories of any fruit at 167 calories per hundred grams.