At first it worked just fine. But, as my husband the engineer explained to me, anything mechanical breaks down over time. Then came the parade of contractors who tried to fix one problem after another. We threw good money after bad, trying to pursue the illusion of a peaceful, flowing fountain in a tranquil backyard.
Finally, the last contractor said there was a crack in the foundation and nothing could be done. The water had long ceased to flow and the fountain remained empty while Andrew and I contemplated our next step. It eventually became a depository for empty planter pots and garden tools – an eyesore! The proverbial dollar signs multiplied in our minds as we considered demolition and replacement. The reluctance to re-live the experience of fountain maintenance added to our malaise.
Then, Eureka! Inspiration struck as I was shopping for large planter pots to create succulent combinations. Why not turn the whole darn fountain into a succulent planter? I’ve had a love affair with succulents ever since moving to San Diego sixteen years ago. So I happily set about creating my succulent fountain into the focal point it is now. I wish I had a “before” picture, but trust me when I say the difference is like “Beauty and the Beast!
My little tale has two takeaways. First, how can we use our creativity to repurpose something to give it another life cycle of usefulness? Our planet will benefit from our efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Second, the creative process can be relaxing, renewing, and reinvigorating.
Gardening is just one example of a creative outlet for self-expression. What’s your creative outlet? Writing, cooking, drawing, painting, crafting? Youtube has many videos to inspire you to live your Youthful and Vibrant Lifestyle!