This HWS Advice Committee member prepares to answer a letter in 1943.
HWS co-founder Bunny Sutton started the Advice Committee back in 1910. Think of it as an early precursor to Ann Landers. Society members sent in questions with topics ranging from personal relationships to gardening problems.
The committee lost steam in the 1960s and was eventually disbanded in 1978, but we have recently decided to revive this historic part of the HWS.
We sent out a call to members for questions to submit to the Advice Committee. We got quite a range of inquiries! Here are two that stood out.
Dear Advice Committee,
I desperately want house plants, but I have the opposite of a green thumb. Can you recommend a plant that will survive my forgetful watering, three Great Danes and constant travel away from home?
-Black Thumb
The Cast Iron Plant can stand up to a lot.
Dear Black Thumb,
We would have to suggest an Aspidistra for your unique situation. Also known as a Cast Iron Plant, these hardy house plants were popular during Victorian days because they could stand up to neglect, dark hallways, gas lighting fumes and marathon Charles Dickens readings. Chances are, you can find an Aspidistra at your local garden center.
A little known fact about Cast Iron Plants is that they are excellent listeners. Should you find your Great Danes are ignoring you for whatever reason, then you can turn to the dark leafy fronds of your plant, where it will patiently hang on your every word and never talk back. Good luck with your indoor gardening!
-HWS Advice Committee
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Dear Advice Committee,
I get the feeling my cat is plotting against me. I wake up in the morning and he’s sitting on the dresser, looking at me. I stumbled over his squeaky mouse in the middle of the doorway. He’s learned how to open his own cat food bag and take care of feeding time without me. I hear him talking to the neighbor’s outdoor cat through the screen door, but he shuts up as soon as I walk into the room. Should I be worried?
-Concerned About Tabby
Dear Concerned About Tabby,
You really don’t need to be worried. Until your cat learns how to use a credit card and order his own food for delivery, he still needs you. He’s intelligent enough to recognize that. Let him have his fantasies and watch out for toys left in the doorways. Consider appeasing him with extra treats, cat trees and Sudoku puzzles. If you need a little confidence booster, just remember that you’re the one who controls the little red dot.
-HWS Advice Committee
Got a question for the HWS Advice Committee? Email the committee.
