PAYING IT FORWARD. . . a little bit

As I was looking  through my photo files, I came across this series of pictures I took one day last fall. . . .right before Thanksgiving. 

On that particular day, I was realizing that my plants were starting to look a bit weather worn.    We hadn't really had a hard frost that affected them at that point, but they were starting to show signs of being finished for the season, and the frost that would eventually "do them in" wouldn't be too far off.

I especially hate it when my ferns start "to go".  They are such wonderful plants. . . . but so hard for me to winter in our house.    So each fall, I pitch them and buy four new ones come next spring.  I'm OK with buying them again. . . it just really bothers me to throw them away. 

That's when I came up with the idea of trying to give them away.

 

 I got a plastic trash bag and put it over the wire frame of an old political yard sign.  Then, with my magic marker, I wrote "FREE FERNS" on both sides.  Next, I put it at the corner up from us on our street.

I hauled my four ferns out to the end of our driveway and added another sign.

Not too much time had passed before I saw a car had pulled up and stopped  by the ferns.

A young lady got out, looked at them, then came up to our door and rang the doorbell.

When I answered it, she said, "Are those ferns really free?"  I told her they were.

The biggest smile crossed her face. . . . then she said,   "Oh, thank you."

I can tell you, watching this lady put the ferns into her car. . . .

one. . . .

  after. . .
   

the  other, until. . . .

 they were all. . . .

 

in her car and on their way to a new home certainly put a BIG smile on my face!

That nice lady even brought the box back up to our house and placed it on our front porch before she left.

THE STONE RABBIT wanted me to tell you that it was his idea for me to keep the signs,  because he thinks we need to "pass our ferns" on next fall, too!

You see, he and his friends were watching it all from the front porch the day the nice lady took our ferns home with her.    That made them happy,too!

  DANA

Comments

[Linda C]

So wonderful to make someone's day!! Great idea!!:)

Have a great week and hope you are feeling better:)

Linda C

[Darlene]

That put a huge smile on my face thinking about how happy she must have been to find those beautiful ferns. What a GREAT idea. I used to have a problem with my spider plants when winter was coming but now I just take them to my little part time job and leave them through the winter. It has skylights and big front windows so they stay nice and warm while getting all the sun they need.♥

I'm glad you like the recipe site and can tweak the recipes to suit your dietary needs.

[Mary]

I'm sure she was thrilled. You probably made her day. Have a great day yourself. Blessings...Mary

[Ceekay]

I just got a beautiful free birdcage from my neighbors...they put it out for the garbage...I have been wanting one for my backyard..to put flowers in...I was soooo happy!

[heather]

lol, they didn't look that big until they were stuffed in her car like that! so happy someone wanted them :)

[Pat@BPM]

I loved this post, Dana. Our ferns get all scraggly in the winter, but J won't let go of them. Somehow they make it through. At least the asparagus ferns do.

Our next door neighbor was a teacher. She taught, what used to be called Home Ec. I don't remember what it's called now. She keeps some of her many ferns at home. She also takes several up to the school, where they sit in her old classroom. Apparently the conditions are just right in both places, because they always look gorgeous, in the Spring.

[Becky]

What a wonderful idea, I've been known to throw away quite a few ferns and other plants, I intend to follow your example from now on!!!

[Jenny]

What a cool idea...and such beautiful plants. I'm thinking I might pot up some of my hollyhock volunteers in the garden and put them out. They are beautiful...just super invasive here.

[Susan Freeman]

I love this idea. I really enjoyed watching her load those ferns in her car. She must have been so excited when she got home. You are a sweet lady Miss Dana!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

[Jeanne]

Hi Dana, love your free ferns idea. Mine are surviving in my great room but they are sooo messy when inside. I only have two. Usually I do just what you used to do. Toss them. Your giveaway idea was terrific. However, if I put a sign out in front of my yard no one would see it. It's like this... If a car drives by we say, "Who could that be?" HA! We have neighbors but not that close by. Also, they do not live here in the winter. That's my life here in the mountains.

I would LOVE for you to come to our mountains. Keep thinking about it Dana. the Biltmore is waiting for you!!!

Love, xoxo, Jeanne
PS, I still cannot post a comment from my regular browser. I have no clue why Safari works.

[bj]

O, Dana...what a sweet spirit you have. I just love you!!
I, too, buy 2 ferns every year and every winter, throw them away..This is the first year I have tried to save one. I put it in a south window and it is struggling but staying alive, so far. I can't tell if it will make it to the spring or not.

O...and we went to see RIVERDANCE last night and I was so awe-struck, I could barely stand it. Never have seen ANYthing like the dancing I saw last night. Ya'll are gonna LOVE it!! Let me know!
xo bj

[Spencer]

What a great idea! I can't get them to grow in the house either.....I have a fake one....but don't tell!.....

Warm blessings,
Spencer

[Kim V]

Hi Dana! It was so nice hearing from you!!!

I've been slipping in and out of blogging lately. I kind of lost my blog magic. I am working on getting back into it.

I will stop by again soon!

Hugs!
Kim

[Nancy]

That is so great - I need to do that with my poinsettias before I kill them! So am I to assume that it hasn't been you spamming my comment box! LOL I did put the no anonymous deal back on - every morning I have to take some off - but I hope you can still comment! I've been shopping for the store all day so I'm pooped - I'll be back tomorrow and do some catching up here on your blog. xoxo Nancy

[Lynn @ theVintageNest]

Dana, that is the coolest thing ever. I have ferns every spring and summer too....front porch, screened porch, back deck and by the pool and it just kills me to have to let them go when fall comes but, like you, there is no way they will winter well in my house. I wish I could give mine away too. I don't live in the 'burbs but maybe I can take them up to the local grocery store and put up a "free ferns" sign. Yep....I think it's worth a try. xoxo

[Sandy]

How sweet of you! I'm sure that lady felt like she had won the Lotto that day ;)

[Sharleen]

Dana - what a site for sore eyes to see you and Patty last week - I needed that lift!. Made me check the blog and so glad I did. What a great story! You can buy more right in front of my shop May 8 - Farm and Flower will be in the same place. Then someone else can get free ones next Fall. Love ya! Sharleen