You see, when I lovingly and thoughtfully moved my little plant to her huge new terracotta condo, I made sure to fill her pot to the brim with lovely, rich soil. EXCEPT, it wasn’t organic soil that I’d packed around that healthy little plant.
It was organic PLANT FOOD! FOOOOOOD!
I overfed the darn thing. She went from basil to meatloaf in two days flat. She didn’t stand a chance. And really, I’d like to think that she died happy and full of yummy organic nutrients, which is not true for the plant, but is for the lone rice-shaped insect that I found. (I’ll leave it to your imagination to decide what I’m getting at.)
“I’m DONE!” I announced, and gathering the remainder of my dignity, I tossed the trowel, fumbled with the cap for the “food,” and marched inside.
I swear. This time is the last time. I promise. No more basil plants for me.
Unless I could find some actual organic soil ... then maybe I could keep it alive! Yes! That’s all I need! I was doing alright, until I overfed it, but now I know the difference in the products, and I’m sure I could try again and maybewecouldgetaplanttomorrowandIcouldtakecareofit all by myself! Right? I can do it! Right?
O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me, a sinner and killer of innocent basil plants. Let me not be deceived by the simplicity of growing herbs nor underestimate my capacity to fail at the endeavor. Take away my pride, grant me humility, and the wisdom to purchase herbs from a locally-owned basil growing expert.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. God have mercy.
Amen.
