LET THERE BE PLANTS

Back in November my landlord distributed a memo to all the tenants in my building, reminding us that we weren't allowed to keep any personal items in the hallways. Previous memos of this sort usually referenced tables, shelves, and other similar items. I've never seen in anything in the hallway, but apparently it's enough of an issue that these memos get circulated on fairly regular basis. A deadline is issued, and any items left outside after that date get thrown away. I assume these memos are really aimed at whichever neighbor has started breaking the rules next. For the first time, however, this latest memo addressed the issue of people keeping plants outside. I wasn't sure if anyone had plants outside their door, but there is one neighbor on my floor who kept a large number of plants in a hallway that opens up to a large courtyard. The plants were well-maintained and people seemed to enjoy them, and since they've been there for years I figured it wasn't the issue now.

As the deadline approached we got a second memo, again explaining the reasons for their decision. They also extended the deadline by a few weeks, and I definitely got the impression that someone was pushing back. The plants on my floor were still there, but, frankly, I wasn't really paying attention. The third memo was firmer in tone and included the name of the company hired to remove any plants that remained after the second deadline extension. The workers would be in uniform, we were told, so we would know they were authorized to be on the property and not a gang of plant-robbers. At this point I figured only the guy with a ton of plants would be invested enough to fight back this long.

When the deadline finally arrived I saw a group of neighbors removing the plants from hallway. I felt bad for my neighbor but I was still neutral on the plants. A few weeks passed with no mention of plants...until a few days ago. A different neighbor, Alice, told me how angry she was about the situation, and that over the years she'd spent thousands of dollars on her plants. Her plants? The plants on my floor? Nope. She had plants on her floor. As did other neighbors. Those were plants that were so well-kept and integrated in the building that I thought they were part of the property. And I guess a lot of people were trying to change the landlord's mind.

I found this task just a few hours after that conversation with Alice. But the truth is, I have the blackest thumb in the world. Really, it's a wonder that trees and flowers don't wilt and die as I walk past them. Luckily, what I lack in gardening skills I make up for in scissor skills. And now, at least for a little while, the plants are back. Even if they're just made from paper.

UPDATE: When APR asked if the pots were made from paper, too, I realized I got so caught up in the story part I wasn't very clear AT ALL about what I did here! The entire thing is made from paper. I went ahead and made one more, and this time I documented that part, too.