Plants verses people?

15 years ago

Which is better?

I have noticed my plants are very loyal after all the mistakes we might of made with them. Even when they never seem to understand us.

They have a way with making us feel loved, and bring joy in our lives. They reward us with the kindness we show them.

They can also be very forgiving, even after we have wronged them..or at least didn't mean too..:-)

They also don't take sides or cast you off when you "seem" to take sides, or "seem" to like one particular plant more than another! Like lets say, giving another plant the sunny spot of another. They still perform for us.

They will always listen, even when they have a problem with us.

Some people on the other hand, can be very unforgiving! Cruel and sarcastic. Walk away the minute you make an objection. Drop you like a hot potato, and even dispise you if you take side with someone else's opinion, when it goes against the ones that you like anyways...They can cast you off easily and hate you for trying to be nice. For even opologizing for things we shouldn't have opologized for. Some can even ignore you when you ask questions, or even have no part of your posts, when theirs still mean something to us, and look past the good qualities that each of us posses, really, within each of one us.

That is what has happened here, and still is, and you all know who you are. Or at least a few you of you unforgiving ones...

This would be a happier place to come too, an improved forums, if we all acted like plants.

I wonder if it will ever be the same again?

So I choose plants....How about you?

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Comments (11)

gobluedjm 9/18 CA
15 years ago
Well I've always said John Lennon wrote Imagine way too many years in advance.

So yeah I choose my plants also over some people. I sit out and enjoy my garden all the time and think what a life they have. Nothing to worry about except those pruning shears.
birdsnblooms
15 years ago
Gobluedjm, John also stated, 'you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.' How true were those words? Very true.
Those words, to the world, should have been vocalized and practiced from the beginning of time to the end. (The end, when man blows us to smithereens?) It's never too late, but I 'Imagine' it won't be.

Mike, you are Sooo right. Plants are like puppies. Forgiving. Admonish a puppy, he feels shame. Call him over a second later, and he bounces over, happy, forgiving his people for the lecture.
Why can't we behave like plants and pups?
Will plants survive when humans are extinct? Toni
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Hey, buddy, I wanted to say Hi! I've been so busy with the Farm work in full swing, and a number of other side jobs, that I haven't had time to call and catch up. My sister also moved, and I haven't had my regular relaxing beer and phone call. Been thinkin' of ya, though! As for the question at hand....plants go through growth phases, below and above. And I think we all agree that the health/vitality of the plant is very important. I hear all the time that people don't want to disturb the plant, but that'll bite them in the ass in the end....when they're forced to do an emergency repot for a failing plant. I had to repot my Moro blood orange this Spring, even though it was covered in blooms and fruit. Yes, it dropped a lot of fruit as a result, but the tree itself is now healthier than ever...and there are still a few decent fruits left. Josh
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christianme
15 years ago
Hi Meyermike! My first thought,Your description of plants reminds me of what it sometimes feels like to be a parent.Your description of people made me think of fair weathered friends.Which is better?mmmmm I go with people.
plantmasterm
15 years ago
Hi Mike, I totally agree with you, I've said it many times myself, specially at work..all the back biting and mess..I'd much rather spend my time with my plants and dogs, they love unconditionally
larry_b
15 years ago
Hi Mike,

Anyone who has known me for all these years on the forms knows what a plant fanatic I am. I can't imagine life without plants. I don't mean to be contentious, but I must admit that I'm a little amazed at your antisocial proclamation. Yes there are some bad apples in the barrel, but to proclaim a preference of plants over people seems a little extreme in my opinion unless I'm misunderstanding your point. Although you are entitled to your opinion.

I think about seeing a pleasant smile or hearing a compliment or a funny joke. I can't imagine not being able to console a friend or loved one. Or have a animated conversation about politics. I think of the caress of a woman's skin and I can't imagine being able to replace any of those with a plant. In fact I wouldn't trade any of those experiences for a whole greenhouse of plants. Yes there are some people who are not very nice and it can be a challenge to live in a world where they exist. Plants aren't always a picnic either though. If you've ever had a mass infestation of mealy bugs you know what I mean.

If I've misunderstood what you're saying please elaborate. If I'm understanding you correctly, all have to say that I will take people, with all of the problems that come with them, over plants anytime.

Larry
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
15 years ago
I spend every Sunday in the Green Chapel....no others allowed!
Silence, dappled light, bruised leaves; this is all the medicine I need.

"There once was a man with no dad;
and a garden was all that he had Â
from dawn to green dim,
with ferns skirting him,
he wandered his ways
and was glad."

Josh
meyermike_1micha
Original Author
15 years ago
lary b,

Please reread my last two sentences,that explains it all.
Then please, take the time to read my other posts, and you will see that I am not making such a "harsh proclamation".
I never would.

Yes you did misunderstand me..

Many here did not though.

I too enjoy everything you described as well, but I havn't expereiced the "caress of a womens skin " on these forums just yet...lol

Take care.
It is good to see how important people are too to you in life, as also too me, and to everyone else here.
You seem to you have a good heart :-)
Your probably a good person to get to know.
Please stick around.:-)

I know a women that "hates" everyone in her life, except animals. Even the good people! She is a very lonely person. Horrible.

I still choose plants over "mean" spirited people though...Sorry..

Mike
peacelovinglily
15 years ago
Haha, nice topic, meyermike! I'm not going to take a stance as such, but I will point out that plants can resemble people unusually sometimes!

For example, I love comparing my peace lily to a sulky child at times - if it's fed well and nurtered, it blossoms (sometimes literally) and stands tall and proud...the minute you give it a little less attention or change its 'schedule', it doesn't seem to know how to deal with it, slumps down, and looks pathetic until you give it back what it's accustomed to. Unlike people though, it never holds a grudge!
larry_b
15 years ago
Hi Mike,

Thank you, I am a nice person with a good heart. That is why I though it was posible that I had not gotten your meaning. I had read the last three lines of the your thread entry. Even with those last three lines I still misunderstood your point. So after rereading your post I will try to sum up what I gather what you're trying to say in my own words.

Plants give us unconditional pleasure without receiving much in return. People on the other hand can be high maintenance. The amount of maintenance depends on the person. Some people are extremely nice and caring and some others are downright nasty. Plants on the other hand do not have nasty traits, unless you want to put opuntia in that space. lol I know of no plant that has ever embarrassed me for instance or called me a bad name.

Our plant room can definitely be a haven for us when we get tired of the hustle and bustle of the world, that including having to deal with other people's problems.

I'm glad to hear that you are not the woman with 10 cats who cannot relate to the world. That would be a horrible existence. I would feel sorry for any one in the space.

I'm sorry that you felt like you lost something here with the latest acrimony. I'm not sure how long you've been here. Your member page says October 7, 2007, but you may have been here longer than that. Even so, I've been here a long time and can tell you that the people who are nasty come and go and the people who are really plant people and are interested in promoting the hobby, are the ones who stay. This place is no different than any other microcosm. One has to take the bad with the good. Even with that, sometimes when someone is not acting nice it is not unreasonable to call that person on it. Bad behavior has to be stopped or the forum will die. I've seen other forms go by the wayside because just a few bad people bully others away.

Good growing to you and take care.

Larry

PS - I'm glad you like the "caress" reference. lol
birdsnblooms
15 years ago
Larry, I've read a good number, if not all of Mike's threads over the last, I guess year. On various forums.
Yep, he loves his plants, but he's definately a people person too. I'm sure he's referring to a few 'bad apples' (who).......
Mike loves people and his family. He is a caring person, and, if able, would help a person without thinking twice.

Larry, you don't caress foliage? lol. Toni
larry_b
15 years ago
Lol. Toni, you are too funny!!!

Mike, I'm sorry but I may have inadvertently hi-jacked your thread with the lecture about how life is in a forum microcosm. The theme of the thread is about love of plants and how sad it is that a few people can detract this in this forum. I would like to give you an example of what I was talking about off line, but you have no e-mail address in your member page. If you are interested, e-mail me through my member page and I will get back with you. No pressure though. If you aren't interested, no problem.

Again, I want to acknowledge your loss over the bad feelings that have presented itself in the last month or so. It really does detract from the pleasure of this forum. We all have a desire for all of the kiddies to play nice on the playground. It's sad when it doesn't happen.

Most of us here have a love of plants and that is a very strong bond. It's why this forum has survived as long as it has. It's the reason why we all return.

Take care,

Larry

Plants verses people?

Comments (11)

gobluedjm 9/18 CA

birdsnblooms

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