“Hibiscus Surprise”

 

 

            A few years ago, I purchased a nearly dead hibiscus from the discount section at Walmart’s garden center. I’ve never tried to grow this plant and reasoned if I could repot it in a larger container with good soil, it would survive. I liked that it had a braid of branches that twined around and kept my fingers crossed that it would survive and bloom.
            Delight flooded me when the first buds formed on one of the small limbs, and I waited impatiently for the first flowers. Eventually a bright red blossom danced in breeze, and two other buds hinted at healthy growth. My attention focused on the luster of the leaves and the number of buds forming, but I didn’t note their hints of color. The best surprise of this woven bush arrived within a few days when different, lovely blooms glowed!  
            This year, my hibiscus continues to surprise us with three different, vibrant colors. I plan on shifting it into a larger pot soon. With care, it will continue to bring brightness to my garden for years to come.

 

Copyright 2025 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

“Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve

 

            We have a defunct hot tub out back that forced me over the last few months to go through a “could’ve, would’ve should’ve” routine. Calls to several removal companies for bids left me questioning spending a lot of money to remove something because a part of me then feels like I’m not gaining anything but space. The cost, too, would make a huge dint out of the funds I’d allocated for my yards and gardens. I could open up the space, but it would remain an ugly, empty space until next year.
            In a more secure financial year, I would’ve replaced the hot tub with a new model. I would’ve shopped around and indulged in something new and fancy. The decrepit hot tub would’ve been carted away as part of the purchase deal. Of course, I would’ve taken on a new debt, too, at a time when job security and economic safety seems uncertain.
            So I settled on my “should’ve” possibilities. I should view the decrepit hot tub with a different eye. Further research showed how to convert it into a raised garden, a lounge area, or even a pond. Although these ideas should fit into our budget easily, I decided to dive into the easiest option—storage! Like most people, we have items that we don’t use, but may eventually need. When we replaced our floors with tile, we had several boxes left over that shifted from the garage to being stored under an old desk covered with tarps. Various art projects left us with wood and cuts of PVC. I dove under the tarps of two old desks to reveal odds-n-ends that we don’t use frequently, but still want to keep.  
            I should’ve known that this solution—storage-- turned into a simpler task than all of the other possibilities. I cleaned the hot tub interior, hauled and organized various items into its wells, and barely tapped into the space. As I clean, clear, and shift items from the garage and various bins out back, I’ll reorganize with an eye of shifting things into the hot tub.
            I should’ve known that sometimes the most obvious solution is the best one. My ugly hot tub received a much need coat of paint and we covered it with a new tarp to keep it water tight. Instead of removing it, or replacing it, we’re embracing it.

 

Copyright 2025 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman