Memories of Misty March Days at Myers Plant Co.

I am sure you will understand how things like this happen because they have probably happened to you too. Today, I was walking across the parking lot at HEB and there was a heavy mist that wasn’t heavy enough to be rain falling. The wind must have blown it into my face and at that must have triggered something in my mind. It wasn’t a memory – it was more like a flashback. For a split second I was back at Myers Plant Co., the home of 50,000 plants, on a misty March day. Myers Plant Co., in our minds, wasn’t the company dad founded with his best friend, his dad – James Henry Myers (my “granddaddy”). Myers Plant Co. was our identity – we were Myers Plant Co.

When I was a kid, back before granddaddy died (1953), it was the place where, on a March day like this, I could run out into one of our greenhouses and find my dad, granddad, grandmother and aunt Pauline potting plants. Everything at Myers Plant Co. revolved around the seasons and spring was “the season” we all lived for. That was when hundreds of people would find their way to 302 Erie Street to buy our plants. In the fall we made cuttings from all kinds of plants and in the winter dad planted many trays of seeds to supply those plants for our customers. Beginning in January we started potting all of things – thousands and thousands of them – in bands, pots and buckets (we bought all of the one gallon buckets local school cafeterias received food).

Potting season was fun for me back then, because I was surrounded by family all working together to get ready for spring. (Spring was really good because that was when dad had more money in the bank than any other time of year.) While we were potting, other uncles, aunts and cousins would regularly drop by and visit. You see, while everyone was potting they were talking – telling stories, sharing old memories, kidding each other, etc. Since this was a time before I had any competitors for their attention – Glenn, Linda & Gary – I benefited from being in the spotlight.

Later, after granddaddy died and aunts, uncles and cousins moved away, things changed. But, good memories were still made during potting season at Myers Plant Co. First, my “other” brother – Danny Bodine – became part our family. Danny was a neighbor my age that dad hired to help us. My “little” brother Glenn, was too little to help and Danny became like a brother to me, and another son to mom and dad.

Over the years, however, the person I probably spent the most time with during potting season was my brother Glenn. I have tons of great memories sitting by him potting, listening to radio programs, talking about any and every thing (good, bad & otherwise).  I guess that “potting season” and “family time” are eternally linked in my mind.

Anyway, today, when that mist hit my face – for that split second I felt being at Myers Plant Co. with dad, granddad, grandmother, aunt Pauline & those other aunts, uncles & cousins before 1953.

May their memories be blessed!

James, Jim or Jr.