Sunstroke and Questionable Life Choices
Midday, melting heat, and pretty sure the sun was targeting me specifically; waiting for me to step from the confines of my air-conditioned ride. Yep, truth be told, it felt personal. The kind of heat where you question every life choice that led you to being out on the road instead of hiding somewhere cool with a cold drink.
But here I was, driving past the Epicurean, eyes glued to the road ahead. I wasn’t about to let myself get tempted into turning left into the parking lot and loading up on completely unnecessary calories. I was being good. Focused. Determined. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her.
A roadside plant hero.
Garden on Wheels: The Horticultural Hustle
From the humble confines of a van that had clearly weathered its share of horticultural adventures, a woman stood surrounded by what looked like a tiny jungle that had just popped up out of nowhere. There were seedlings, tea bushes, and clusters of aromatic herbs, all spilling out of mismatched trays and buckets. It wasn’t just a roadside plant sale, it felt like she’d brought a little Eden to the edge of the asphalt.
Freedom Hour: Midday Belongs to Me Now
Obviously, I pulled over. Why wouldn’t I? Midday is mine now. No more cramming errands into a stolen lunch break. I don’t have to rush anymore, and honestly, that freedom feels good.
The Ceremony of Selection
I walked over like I was selecting herbs for a royal feast. Carefully, I picked out my little green crew. Into the box they went, one by one. Future kitchen balcony stars or, let’s be real, survivors of my overwatering phase if they’re lucky.
Tiger, the Teddy Bear Sidekick
When it was time to head home, I placed the box on the passenger seat of my Nissan. There they were immediately welcomed by Tiger, my trusty road trip sidekick. Tiger is a teddy bear, but don’t be fooled. He’s steady, calm, and apparently very skilled at keeping plants safe from bumps and potholes. He wrapped around the box like a fluffy seatbelt, looking completely official.
The Seatbelt of Plush and Promise
No longer sunburnt beside a Toyota’s tailpipe (nothing personal, Toyota). These darlings now travel in comfort and class. Air-conditioned, podcast-accompanied, and safely nestled in a ‘seatbelt’ of emotionally supportive plush fur courtesy of Tiger.
From Sidewalk to Sedan: The Botanical Glow-up
This was their glow-up. Their botanical Beyoncé moment.
These plants are on their way to a home where they’ll be fussed over, showered with rainwater, and maybe startled now and then when I start rearranging pots late at night. They’ve officially leveled up in life.
Bye, Bye Knick-Knacks
And here’s the best part. Just before this little rescue mission, I had dropped off a box of random knick-knacks at the Stock Exchange for resale. These things had been living rent-free in my trunk for six months. Finally, I cleared them out. And wouldn’t you know it, the empty box was sitting there waiting, perfectly timed to carry my new leafy crew to their forever home.
So really, it was a win-win. The old clutter got a chance at a second life, and my plants got their big escape.
A Salute to the Mobile Jungle Queen
To the roadside plant lady, I salute you. Your mobile jungle may have been modest, but your greenlings are now riding in style, cruising toward lives of leafy prosperity, on leather seats, no less.
Better rides, better lives. One trunk swap at a time.
