As is often the case, I'm cheating a bit this Monday. Apologies and thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, the host of In a Vase on Monday. Click over to her blog to see her vase this week and to find links to other participating (and probably not cheating) bloggers.
Since I'm spending more time outside than in lately, and since some unusual containers presented themselves, I decided to leave my "vases" outside this week.
It started on Sunday morning when the non gardener decided to clean out the bedroom closet and came downstairs with two large bags of shoes we haven't worn in years to throw away. Being a bit sentimental, I snagged a couple of special pairs. The first are the cowboy boots that Tom wore on what became our first date. It wasn't really planned as a date but became one. (Not that these are old or anything but that was over thirty years ago.) Cowboy boots bring to mind the desert southwest, no? I filled the bottom half with gravel so that they'd stand up and threw in a couple of things that were sitting around. One got a Cholla from the Yakima desert and the other a Sempervivum.
Next up is a pair of combat boots that a woman friend who was in the military gave to Tom before we met. They've been well used. Our everything store (Fred Meyer) is preparing for a major remodel soon so they're getting rid of all of the summer stuff, including plants, earlier than usual this year. These semps. were on sale for a dollar a few weeks ago so I had to bring home a flat of them. There's always space for more of these, right? These were the last two left without a home so in they went. Again, the bottoms of the boots were filled with gravel then soil from the ankle up. It'll be interesting to see how these age outside.
Happy new week!
Not sure what cosmic force is at work today, but you are the third "vase" I've seen this morning that is a terrific display but with an even better story. Mark wore the world's ugliest shirt the first time we met and before he threw it away, I cut off a piece and put it with our wedding pix.
ReplyDeleteThe last of the lilies are blooming and when they're done, the inexorable glide into autumn begins. At this time of year, people are painting, reroofing, getting ready for the rainy seasons to come and I'm bracing for the jobs to begin again. While still reveling in summer, I often look back over the growing season during August and make mental notes for next year. Maybe the boots are an extension of that.
DeleteThey look pretty great! Will they last more than a year?
ReplyDeleteIn our climate, they'll grow a little moss but will last at least a few years. Maybe I'll throw them in the greenhouse for the winter to increase their longevity.
DeleteThose turned out great! I love the boots and the story behind them. Good thing you snagged them before they got tossed. Our local Fred Meyer has been going through a remodel for the last few months and it's been chaos in there. Expect everything to be moved around and lots of noise every time you go in to shop.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, there's a Fred Meyer in Puyallup near the Sunday job so when that starts again, I'll do my shopping there until the dust settles in Tacoma.
DeleteTom hung onto a pair of boots for over 30 years!? Wow. Glad you saw another life in them. Our FM is deep in a renovation and was going to share what a "pain in the shopping cart" you've got to look forward to, but Alison beat me to it. How crazy there are so many reno's going on at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBoth pairs of boots were still wearable but since neither of us has used them in years, it was time for them to go. BTW, I have a sweet pair of cowboy boots that a toddler Outlaw wore. My mom had kept them for all these (nearly 60) years and they really are cute. Maybe they need to be used as vases one Monday.
DeleteLove the boots and their stories!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise. Don't know how long they'll stick around but it was fun to play with them a bit before they get tossed.
DeleteI know how difficult it is to get rid of shoes (or boots) that hold a treasured memory. I have Italian boots that my mom gave me when I graduated high school (!) I've toss many shoes since but not the boots.
ReplyDeleteI've only known Patsy Cline to sing this song, but I'm a transplant, so it's fun to hear Hank's rendition. I love the new life you gave those boots. They could potentially stay outside all winter too.
I've seen people leave them out all year but I didn't drill holes in the bottoms so don't know how fast draining they'd be. Maybe if they just get pulled under the eaves where they won't get any rain.
DeleteI liked the combat boots, Peter! You succulents go well to the boots.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nadezda. It was fun to put these together.
DeleteDidn't Nancy Sinatra say those boots were made for waterin'? Something like that.
ReplyDeleteI seem to recall something about Nancy and her boots...
DeleteThirty year old boots, what fun.I suppose Tom saved them thinking they would come in handy and they did. Nothing gets wasted in your house.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it would be better if we lived in a smaller home as without all the storage, we'd have to get rid of more stuff.
DeleteLoved the Hank Williams accompaniement (interestingly, so did my now half-grown kitten ;) ) and any container works for me, so hardly cheating in my book. My spouse would call those cowboy boots 'holy relics' (anything with sentimental roots), so I'm glad they got repurposed in your garden!
ReplyDeleteI'd no idea that felines enjoyed Hank Williams. I like your spouse's term for things with sentimental value.
DeleteWhat fun to hear Hank Williams! My freshman college roommate was obsessed with his music and played it ALL the time so many of his songs are also now programmed in my head. I love the planted boots - I hope they last for years and years!
ReplyDeleteMy parents loved country music - the oldies make me think of home.
DeleteGreat way to get some fun from those boots one more time. Very creative Peter.
ReplyDeleteI'd seen the idea in a few other gardens but never did it myself. It's a fun way to use the boots one more time before they eventually end up in the garbage.
DeleteNothing like trodding down memory lane in old boots. A good use for them. I think you should polish those black boots tho since they are military. ;) Happy In a Boot on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThey really should be polished a bit to cover up all of the scuff marks. In a Boot on Monday made me laugh!
DeleteHow charming! Great way to use tour old boots. I like the blacks ones best, but as a Texan, I definetly appreciate the cowboy boots.
ReplyDeleteThey'll eventually go away but it was fun planting them up to enjoy for a while.
DeletePlants in boots! Sounds like a good name for a novel or a specialty garden book. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteIt's not surprising at all that YOU would put plants in boots. Fun.
ReplyDeleteSo to boot it all...they did not get the boot....bootifull!!
ReplyDelete