Yesterday Sandy, Mary Jane and I had planned a little outing to see Eljen's Apartment. Elgen had worked as a school councilor with both of them years ago. He retired and moved into a tiny apartment at Warren house fourteen years ago. I had met him but never been to his place of abode. sandy has often talked about he creative he as been and that his home is a place to behold in creativity. First of all since he was not allowed to put any screws or nails in the wall he started making free standing shelves and furniture from corks. (Yes common wine corks) They are a sight to behold and hold all of his life's treasures quite securly. They are glued together with with some sort of caulking that sticks to them but remains somewhat pliable. Then for the really amazing thig, he has about 50 plants of various kinds, living happily in this 340 ft. apartment space. They are a site to behold. At this time the Amaryillis are blooming profusly among all of the greenery. Every plant anyone has ever given him in his life lives here. He has one that is 25 years old and is still very happy. Each one has card written on it as to it's origin and a name. Yes, there is Bo, Samantha, Victoria and on and on than with more individuality than one could take in a tow or three hour visit. He talks to them and told us on a day when he doesn't feel good they know dad will get around to watering them as soon as he can and it will be before they die for sure. It is amazing to see what one can do who thinks out side the box, and has a different sort of imagination. He also has string art on display and his mother's wonderful quilts. Even with all of these things the place remains funcional for simple living. Oh yes all counter tops have lovely jig saw puzzles framed under glass. Al in all it is a sight to behold and a testament to how one can entertain themselves with a limited buget and not such good health. There obviously are no limits to where the creative mind can take one.
We also had a healthy lunch of fruit, and splashed our way home through the pouring rain. It felt like a small adventure right here in our city. I am inspired to go buy some Amayillis bulbs as I used to grow them when we lived in Cedar City and they are a colorful and interesting flower. I wish I had some blooming right now to set by my Xmas Cactus that Dixie sent me two years ago. It is in full bloom now, and very lovely. I think it just got a little bit mixed up as to when Cristmas was after it made the journey here from Tropic. Karin and Dave found me a lilac bush that has been cultivated for Phoenix. I will see how it goes. Perhaps if I give it a beautiful name it will prosper and grow. when we went to Boulder for Terry's memorial a bush I had planted when he was a toddler had grown quite tall and was covered with blossoms. Their frangrance is more heavenly then any blossom to my mind.
Sounds as though this man has made his apartment into living art. I have a little tree that Ronda bought when we lived together before I moved in here. It has grown quite a lot but I have kept it in a little pot space so it won't grow to be a tree. It is already quite big. But to have every plant anyone has ever given him! One of the tenants here, Kim, has beautiful plants. It is an art to keep house plants looking very good. Sounds like this adventure was worth splashing through the rain.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely day, even in the rain. Plants can be very enduring treasures. I had the fern at my house in St. George that my Mom had in her real estate office in Cedar in the 70's. It finally gave it up about two years ago. I had to let it go when it survived that many years with her and then with me.
ReplyDeleteWow, that house sounds like a bit of heaven, creativity, and zaniness. You did have an adventure.
ReplyDeleteMy fern still lives that used to reside with Maude for years and years. I do have Tom to prune and cut roots, etc. He threatens to throw it out as it is constantly dropping trash, but it blossoms forth and it still hangs around.