In my previous post I had high hopes and good intentions, which now, sadly, litter the wayside of that fabled well-paved road.

It’s after midnight on Friday and unfortunately my plants are not outside as I thought they’d be. I was right in noting that the work above my balcony was finished, but the crew boss informed me that it would be ill-advised to move my plants back outside on Wednesday because he worried that migrating dust from work alongside my neighbor’s unit would damage my plants.

So, I wait. He’d estimated that by end-of-day Friday I could start to put things right in my balcony garden. Of course, best laid plans and all, we had a very stormy Friday and they weren’t able to do any work on the building at all. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the sun will shine on their efforts tomorrow.

Just when I was about ready to start kicking pots in frustration, my cat — running full speed — hurdled over a flat of leftover plants AND a small container of catnip. I couldn’t help but smile. If he can make sport out of the temporary inconvenience, I should be able to do the same.

In that spirit I turned my attention toward a minor victory: my sweet potato vine project, which is going gangbusters. The top photo is how it looks today; the second photo is my June 4 status update, and the final photo is what it looked like when we started on May 25. Unbelievable, right!

When I gazed through all those heart-shaped leaves at the pouring rain today I couldn’t help but flashback to my childhood — back to the days when it was hip to own a full set of encyclopedias and all the ancillary educational tomes those companies sold. (It was also hip to use the term “hip.”) I remember one volume geared toward kids that offered up fun learning projects for days when you were shut in.

As I’ve been asked about garden projects suitable for children, so far, this one seems ideal. It’s low maintenance; you just have to change out the old water for fresh every couple of days or so. And you can see results fast: just three weeks after inception this potato has completely transformed itself!

If I’m amazed, doubtless your kids will be, too.

[If you are looking for fun ways to garden with your kids, visit my fellow garden blogger’s site: Little Green Fingers]