Pet Grass

Last week the Passenger was at home alone, for the most part.  And though she loves a good snowstorm, it was time to ingest a bit of spring.  So off to a local greenhouse, to gaze in delight at creative displays, to walk among rows of plants and dream, to breathe deeply of oxygen rich air.

On a certain display table, in a cute little pot, a collection of greenery, obviously from the grass family.  Straight sprouts about three inches tall, each the same height, like a little boy's buzzed haircut.  The identifying spike pushed in the container's edge said:

Now, we have two overstuffed felines with an advanced sense of entitlement who share our house during cold weather.  They know where they are permitted to locate, or not, in the house, and mostly comply.  Or hastily relocate when discovered.  Chewing on houseplants has never been an issue, though at times the Passenger thinks she wouldn't mind entirely if they did, providing the gnawed plant was incompatible with cat-able life.  She is that tired of dealing with the fluff they leave in their wake.

But, the pot was attractive, and only cost a few dollars.  So it went along home, was transferred  to a lined basket filled with potting soil, and placed on a windowsill in bright light, as directed.  Shortly, curiosity compelled Cat to jump to the sill, sniff and commence chewing.

Looking closely, this former farm girl realized, "Pet Grass" is simply oats!  Or barley, or wheat, or a mixture thereof.  That explained the instructions to trim the grass regularly, for after the head forms, the grass's taste is not as appealing, and if trimmed after the seed head develops, the grass will die.

Purchase a bag of grain from the mill, plant in cute pots, give it a name and a fancy label, and your product will sell to the unsuspecting uninformed!  This gal felt rather foolish not to have noted sooner what the product really was.  A run round the internet found numerous sites selling the same or a variation of the same, including one that sold 4 oz bags of "mixed pet grass seeds" with "complete instructions" for growing and maintaining, an absolute bargain for only $28!

But on the Passenger's windowsill, it is still green and growing, though now a bit tousled and uneven.  The cats still stop by for the occasional chew.  And a good laugh, or purr, as the case may be, was had by all.