Exploring New Roots in Phillies

We're a Philodendron Family. Not necessarily because of their lush, beautiful foliage--although that's a definite plus--but because They're. Almost. Impossible. To. Kill!

When College Girl moved into a new place last year, she decided she wanted to spiff it up with some greenery. Trouble was, her dorm room at Larry U. had but one window, which was framed by lovely, shade-bearing trees.

We thought about an English Ivy plant. They grow all over our neck of the woods, and seem like a pretty hardy variety. Turns out we were wrong! We purchased a small plant, transplanted it into a pretty pot, and it had Gone to Meet Its Maker within the month!

Philly to the rescue! I went home and took some cuttings from my Mom's old Philodedron plant, which is about a Gazillion. Years. Old. Seriously, we're talking a Practically Prehistoric Houseplant here (remember, my Mom was the owner of the Seriously Sad Geraniums, which we spruced up with coffee grounds)! I stuck the cuttings in a glass of water, and voilà! College Girl has not just one plant, but two! She's named this Pair of Phillies Oscar and Simon. Don't ask--she wouldn't be able to tell you why. Both plants are thriving, and ready to go back to school, too!

Oscar and Simon were such a hit that The Wild One wants a Philly for her dorm room, too! I've got just the ticket for her--in fact, I'm off to buy a new pot for the latest edition to our Philodendron Family when I finish with this post!

We had so much success on the Philly Front, that I decided it was time to give my Mom's ancient Philodendron a makeover, too. It had been in the same pot for far too long. I happened to be hanging around the hardware store a couple of weeks ago, and found a most appropriate new home for this Philly. And no, this Philodendron doesn't have a name--yet. The before and after shots are pictured above.

Who says you can't get a New Lease On Life? Not I, said the Spider to the Fly...

News Flash! You long-time Readers remember Auntie J.'s Water-Skiing Wipeout from July 4th weekend, don'tcha? Well, it's being reprised today over in The Scholastic Scribe's Silly Sunday Sweepstakes. So, ski on over there and play, today!

About True Beacons, Great Giveaways and Good Beach Reads

"Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time"

Edwin P. Whipple, 19th-Century American Essayist and Critic

Aunt Julie, The Pop'r Queen, took this photo of the Neenah, Wisconsin Lighthouse from the deck of Uncle Lynn's boat out on the lake. The lighthouse, which was built in 1945, "is really the symbol of our cute little picturesque Wisconsin town, " Julie says.

The Neenah Lighthouse was erected on the shore of Lake Winnebago, where the Menominee Indian Tribesmen met for pow-wows at the mouth of the Fox River 150 years ago. It is one of 36 lighthouses in the State of Wisconsin.

I was thinking about the Neenah Lighthouse and the role of books as "beacons" in our culture this morning after reading dozens and dozens of posts about Breaking Dawn, the fourth book in the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer. All the Pop'r Cousins (that would be Julie's family and mine) are going on a Beach Vacation later this week, so we'll have time for lots 'n' lots o' reading. We're also going to run a Best Beach Reads Pop'rs Giveaway Contest, so stay tuned!

And speaking of photos, please cruise on over to see my Bloggy Friend Melissa B.'s post this a.m. She runs a Silly Sunday Sweepstakes every week, asking readers to write funny captions for even funnier photos. So, check it out!