In my meditation this morning, the thought 'Michael should have (a) Norfolk pine' suddenly popped into my mind when I wasn't thinking about that. They have a presence. Good companions.

I've just started a cutting from my jade plant for you. This plant was given to me by my lover in 1977 or '78. It was about as big as the slip I will be giving you. One fall I froze it off, back to the roots, by leaving it outside too long after summer. Once it fell off the top of my car when I drove away unthinkingly. When I moved out of our huge house I gave it away, to be used as a housewarming gift for newlyweds. Except I kept a slip, about the size of the one I am starting to root for you, because, two years later, the plant is getting too big in our new small place.

Community. An easy word to say. Asking for help builds community.

Then there is this: A thousand times I have ascertained and found it to be true.
The affairs of this world are really nothing into nothing.

Still though, we should dance.--Hafiz

What a lovely idea. You can do what you like with our contribution- but a few thoughs, since you’ve kind of wandered into my wheelhouse: You’ll want some LED grow lights, which are pretty cheap and very efficient these days, thankfully. Something like these, either with a built in timer or plugged into a timer. Mine are set to 15 hours. https://m.banggood.com/16W-Clip-on-Dual-Head-LED-Grow-Light-Red-Blue-Full-Spectrum-Indoor-Plant-Lamp-p-1161475.html
2 great sources for plants are Mother Earth and Trader Joe’s. TJ’s even has tiny potted pine trees right now.. You might also consider a peace lily. They are both dramatic and forgiving, and when they droop, you can be Lazarus and bring them back from despair- which is one kind of peace, right? Some days I feel like a drooping peace lily- dejected and worn out, yet within that is the knowledge that my spirit can always be revived with some attention to what it needs and a little time. I wish the same for you in these roller coaster days. You might also add a humidifier, to make things a bit more forest like and we all need some extra moisture in our dry winters, and/or an essential oil diffuser if you like that sort of thing and it doesn’t cause you breathing issues, nausea or anything. I use pine and cypress a lot in mine. Lime essential oil also seems to help me with migraine-induced nausea. Maybe there’s something useful in there. Thank you for giving us a specific way to hello- and love to you all.

Spider plant. Those things survive no matter what.

Hey Michael - your indoor nature space sounds fab! could you send your address, because Kristel wants me to send you something ;)
hugs,
Mary

Hi Michael, thanks for your post. I had surgery to remove a meningioma in early November. I have mulled over many of the same things -- no sugar, flirted with the ketogenic diet, added magnesium supplements. I even bought a wide assortment of plants for the sunroom. It's almost checklist-like similar. I spent the last week in the hospital to see what is causing seizure like symptoms -- with electrodes and crash helmet, sleep deprivation and jumping around in harness and a fair number of "episodes". These journeys force us to examine so many things in a different way -- mortality, quality of life, our relationships, spirituality and a search for what direction do we take in our care. I appreciate that you are sharing your journey so openly. It is hard to sit calmly in this space of not knowing and limited control. You and your family are in my prayers.

Prayers for you on this roller coaster indeed!! I love the idea of the forest inside!

i know it's not the usual situation, but patience grasshopper. your fortitude inspires.

What goes on in that brain of yours is amazing. Let’s keep shooing out the blasted cancer.