Hello all, You may not know me. But I have been lurking around here since a very long time now. And I feel like I know some of you personally. So I thought it's about time you all got to know me also. Seems like a fair thing to do. LOL! I'm Anita, a criminal lawyer specializing in online crimes like hacking, cyber stalking, and financial fraud with cooperations. Some would describe me as a cyber detective, but that's incorrect. Because I am a lawyer, (even though all I do is mostly detective work). I often work pro bono with law enforcement too, specially when it comes to tracing child predators. In my personal life, I'm a mom of a very naughty two year old she-devil! Who I believe was sent here on Earth, just to ruin her mom and dad's sleep! LOL! Actually she is now the source of my encouragement, who inspires me to constantly keep on working for a better tomorrow. I grew up with a debilitating anxiety due to a most unfortunate incident in my early life (more on that some other time). But I have my mother to thank first, who tirelessly supported me during my recovery. And now my best friend since the last 12 years too, who is today my husband. As he also encouraged me to go out and face my all demons. So it is thanks to him, that I have been able to bring down many crime syndicates operating in cyberspace. Editing this to mention that until the covid pandamic, I was very good at kickboxing too. But now with a baby (and the c-section I had) I traded that passion with gardening. So over here, now, with you people, I am just rediscovering my love for plants and trees. And also looking for tips on how to decorate our new house with as much horticulture as possible!
Hi Anita, welcome to Gardenstew from Chelmsford MA, USA. Houseplants always brighten a home, and there are so many to choose. Jerry
Hi there and welcome to our group ! Just jump in and tell us what you would like to do and hopefully we can help ! Glad to have you with us !
@Jerry Sullivan , so lovely to meet you at last. I was sure you would be one of the first 5 to welcome me. But you ended up being the first! Thank you! Yes, many plants to choose from. But my priotity is something like this: 1. Beautiful to look at, (should be colourful for most of the year). 2. Maintenance free, (as much as possible). 3. Must not attract too many insects or critters, (my locality is tropical coastal rainforest like). 4. Should't be toxic, (because I have a very energetic toddler running around). Tanks for the welcome @Logan . @eileen , likewise, glad we can now finally talk direct. @mart , Thank you so much. Yes, I have many questions about plants. Both indoor & outdoor. My husband has got a list of plants which he says will clean the air. But unlike so many women who who have blind trust in their husbands, (which they always live to regret), I rather ask experts like you first! LOL! Thank you @Zigs @MIKE ALLEN , tanks for the welcome.
Hi and welcome to GardenStew! You indeed have a most interesting background. And I think the pro bono work that you do, is really honorable... I guess this rules out all cactus. As majority of them have thorns, (so not safe for your toddler). Otherwise I would have suggested cactus first, as they are not only beautiful - But almost completely maintenance free too. However, all is not lost, as there are many other planes which can suit your needs. So I would suggest Baby Sun Rose, which thrives outside under direct sun. And Devil's Ivy, which is an excellent indoor plant - Both of these are very fast growing, beautiful to look at. And require minimum maintenance. Water bamboo is another very nice looking indoor plant which is fast becoming very popular in my area - All 3 are very good looking tropical plants.
Greetings Anita. So to me this is such a coincidence. Here we are as members of an internet gardening forum. We both have such similar history's. My first employment was, as a solicitors clerk fo Allen & Overy. Now one of the worlds largest legal firms. Then I joined the police service. Poor health intervened, leading to me taking employment in horticulture. Finally I was medically retired in 1984. I can assure you. Daughters do eventually grow up. Both of mine are now in their mid/late fifties. So despite whatever life has thrown at us. The beauties and wonders of plants etc, really prove to be....Just what the doctor ordered. Hope we can share experiences in the future. Enjoy the forum and the help and advice offered.
@S-H So glad to finally meet you. You nearly had he fall out of my chair from laughter, as I read about your tree hating neighbor. LOL! I like water bamboo, I saw it in the garden store. And the other two, I will also look into. Thanks! @MIKE ALLEN Wow! What a coincidence. Lovely meeting you here. Yes kids eventually do grow up. But I don't want my baby to change, not so soon. I want to enjoy every moment of her childhood. I do worry a lot though, constantly, about her mental development. Coz she hasn't got anyone else around her own age to play with. Here too I am to blame for her isolation, as she is too young to be vaccinated. And I'm not going to take any chances. So round the clock I and my husband are constantly behaving as her playmates, (aside from being her parents). LOL! But what else can we do? Moving into a house from an apartment has been amazing. Coz we now have a lot more space plus a huge garden. So our little monster enjoys running around the entire day, (and night too). LOL! But again, no kids her own age to play with. Internet has been a blessing, as thanks to video calls she at least knows who all her relatives are. But I still worry what the long term effects of such an upbringing would be. We are considering getting her a puppy, that way she will get a pet who will also become her playmate. But that also will become a new resposibility for us. I don't know. Covid pandemic has changed everything. Everything we do now feels strange.
I think my tree loathing neighbor accidentally became more famous over here at the GardenStew - Then I ever could! Who knew???
