Wealth In Weeds

September 29th 2025

Soundin’ like a couple old biddies last holiday season, a buddy and I gasped and grumbled while shopping for new Christmas wreaths.

“85 DOLLARS!? Honey you gotta be kiddin’ me. What were they made by baby Jesus himself? No ma’am. That is a pure-t crime on Christmas I’m here to tell ya…”

But every year as the holidays approach and I’ve gawked at prices…I’ve again thought to myself,

Remember you used to make wreaths with your cousin when you were like, twelve? Y’all used to circle the neighborhood pullin’ wild grape vines outta the trees and weavin’ ’em. You loved it!

I really did love it.

So last week I finally decided,

Come on girl, go get some.

So I put on my work gloves, let the screen door slam behind me, and got to huntin’ the tree line behind our home for wild grape vines.

The longer I worked the better vines I found, as if they were making themselves known, excited to be seen and acknowledged for their natural genius. I was getting more and more giddy with each tree trunk I cut free and each gorgeous twisted vine I threw on my pile.

I got a sufficient collection together and pulled up a chair.

As I sat in our backyard, cleaned off the leaves, and picked out the first vine to begin my wreath, I realized I was smiling and dancing with each wild loop I made.

The shape was perfect in its wonky nature and I couldn’t believe it took me so long to cash in on those vines that had been growing back there all this time.

Once the shape of my wreath was finished, I grabbed a bag and my clippers and went to the park to hit up the goldenrod I’d been admiring on my recent walks.

Wild Grape Vine, Goldenrod, Sea Lavender, and three sprigs of Rosemary. My twelve year old self is so delighted. Authors Photo

I already can’t wait to cover it in holly leaves and berries come winter time.

All in all that wreath cost me $4 for the extra bunch of sea lavender I bought to fill in some gaps.

The rest was already around for the snatchin’.

I smile at it every time I walk in the door, and I’m already thinking of how I can wrap vines around our front porch posts for Christmas instead of tussling with that old plastic garland again — not to mention sweeping up the never-ending plastic green confetti it always leaves behind.

I still forget sometimes that following one exciting idea causes ten more to bloom.

If it’s something I’d like to make? I can make the time.

My Guardians had this to say-

If it’s something you love doing but decide you can’t afford the time and instead settle for someone else to make it for you?

The cost is always too high with little to no return.

But when you grant yourself the time to create the things you truly enjoy?

That same energy is happily spent and invested tenfold.

Thank you for reading. We love you.

Baby Lotus :) Authors Photo