Houseplants definitely have personalities...

at least according to an article in the News & Observer recently. Jennifer Nelis, marketing director for the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association, came up with the following list:
- Orchids - unflappable elegance
- Bromeliads - always at the center of attention
- Ferns and palms - relaxed and easy to get along with
- Anthuriums - very loving with heart-shaped leaves and passionate red blooms
- Spathiphyllum (peace lily) - purity
- Pothos - laid back
- Dracena - easy-going but efficient, perfect for distracted workaholics
- Crotons - red-headed fireballs
- Lipstick plant (basket vine) - impulsive
- Cryptanthus (earth star) - stylishly modern
- Ivy - traditional, gracefully conservative

I'm familiar with all these plants except crypanthus but have to confess I'd never given a thought to their "personalities". Maybe I'll consider them in a whole new way when next I chance to meet up with one!

a good cause...

Twice in the last few days I've read articles about donating new or gently used shoes. Shoes-4-Souls is a local nonprofit organization striving to collect 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes currently in American closets to the more than 400 million people in need of shoes. Look for drop box locations at www.MyOldShoes.org ; the national non-profit Soles4Souls (www.soles4souls.org)
also has local drop off spots.
I'm an avid recycler, but didn't know that even athletic shoes can be recycled! Janice Marchok's article in the N&O Wednesday stated that Nike has recyled more than 24 million pairs of sports shoes into athletic and playground surfaces. Read all about it at www.nikereuseashoe.com
Just something to keep in mind as you're deciding which shoes to wear...or maybe straightening the closet.