Listen. I was just out for a harmless little drive along the Cedar Valley main road. Windows down, YouTube on blast, cruising like a woman with zero responsibilities and exactly the right amount of caffeine in her system.
Then I saw it.
A roadside botanical bonanza with folding table, tarpaulin, and plants posing like they were ready for a magazine shoot. Naturally, I slammed on the brakes (Safely, of course. I’m retired, not reckless).
Tabletop Jungle Meets Asphalt Chic
The setup was humble but brilliant. A gentleman worked the front like a plant-slinging pro, while the lady stayed wisely tucked away in the shade of their van, sipping from her mystery bottle (probably water, but I like to imagine it was something spicier) and avoiding the sun like a boss.
Let me tell you: these two weren’t just selling plants, they were serving inspiration.
I Bought One Fern… and One Identity Crisis
So what did I do? I did what any newly-retired, plant-loving woman on a mission would do. I walked up, said “Ooh, pretty,” and left with a fern and some running vine situation that I still can’t identify, but it looked fabulous and frankly, that’s all the qualification I need.
Who cares if I don’t know the name? I’ve named it Vivian. She’s dramatic and fast-growing. We have a lot in common. BTW, my robo-vac is Vivienne (I like to think she’s French), but I’ll tell you about her another time.
“I Could See Myself Doing This” — Me, Foreshadowing My Future
Mid-transaction, I casually said, “I could see myself doing this.”
And the gentleman, cool as a cucumber plant, said, “You could.”
And just like that… the seed was planted.
Plot twist: retiring to your veranda? Overrated. I’m officially flirting with the idea of becoming a backseat botanist-slash-sidewalk seller. My new job title? CEO (Chief Evergreen Officer)
Side Hustle? More Like Side Hustle & Bloom
I don’t know where this is headed. Home sales, roadside stalls, supermarkets, or maybe a full-on tropical takeover of my neighborhood. But something about watching those two quietly do their thing in the sun (or strategically in the shade) made me think:
Why not spend my days potting up joy, selling it in reused nursery containers, and making people feel like plant parents of the year? So if you see me on the roadside in a big hat, surrounded by ferns, vines, and wildly underpriced succulents. Just know: I’m living my best life.
