See these two house plants? They don't register on my list of things to do. I expend no perceivable concern or planning on these plants. They aren't a burden or trouble. I never feel their needs infringing on my own. I like them. They make oxygen. I'm told they help clean the air, somehow. They sure do grow well. The aloe has legendary healing qualities and the other is a patchouli plant. Yes, like the perfume. And its leaves smell just like that. I always thought patchouli was a mix of herbs. So that's kind of cool. But otherwise, these plants don't often hit my radar.

When I was in my early 20s I couldn't keep a plant alive. I tried. I felt some vague pressure from the universe to have a plant. But they always died and not before managing to feel burdensome. I'm pretty sure I can remember actually resenting their neediness. Stupid plants needing five tenths of a minute of watering time once a week!

But most of my friends were the same way. And, looking back, it makes me wonder. I mean, how selfish and unreliable can an average person be? Very selfish and unreliable, apparently. I think keeping a plant alive for a year might be a good requirement for graduation from high school. At least kids would be exposed to responsibility for something tangibly alive and real.