Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Can Pilot


The apple-tree-in-a-bag is looking grim these days, and we haven't even had a very dry summer. I guess the fact that it's managed to survive almost four years should be impressive enough -- certainly longer than I ever expected.  I don't think it gets much care, beyond the owners adding soil to the bag over time. I would still love to know how it got there in the first place. What possessed someone with no yard to try to grow a mature apple tree on their second-floor patio -- in a bag?

I wish I could snap my fingers and magically transplant it to an orchard somewhere. When it finally does die, it's going to be a pain to discard.

I called the dentist yesterday about my broken tooth. I can't get in to see her until Friday morning. I think this is partly because she only works part time. At any rate, that's fine -- I'm not in any pain so I don't mind waiting. I have a sinking feeling that she's going to want to do some elaborate repair job.


I came across this interesting cream soda can while walking Olga on Sunday morning. Who is that, I wondered? Charles Lindbergh? Sir Edmund Hillary? No, it turns out to be someone named Mike Miller-Smith, whose dreams of being a commercial pilot were sidelined by muscular dystrophy. Miller-Smith went on to found an organization that allows disabled people to experience flying. Apparently the brand Soda Folk recognizes various everyday "heroes" on their colorful cans.

I've mentioned before that my brother and I used to collect beverage cans when we were kids. We would have loved these!

23 comments:

Andrew said...

Collecting cans would need some space.
I suppose it is the same drink that we call Creamy Soda or Creaming Soda.
The poor apple tree. It's a pity it's impractical to liberate it into an appropriate site.

Linda Sue said...

Years ago my front tooth chipped the back ,became jagged , Dennis just ground off the jags and though this tooth is nearly transparent it has held up without doing anything fancy. I hope your dentist does not have to cap your tooth, always presents problems down the line. That soda can might have made a great present to surprise your brother, I would love to get a clever soda can in the mail.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Cruelty to trees should be a criminal offence. That neglected apple tree deserves a chance to thrive.

Moving with Mitchell said...

I have a feeling when that apple tree does die, no on is going to bother to discard it. Soda cans could make for an interesting collection. I've never known anyone to do that.

Ed said...

Such a shame that such a large apple tree is being allowed to die. Buying one that size in a nursery here would probably cost several hundred dollars at the minimum.

I too used to collect "pop" cans but I specialized only in Pepsi cans during my youth. Last year when I was clearing out the old farmhouse, the young man purchasing it was admiring them and so I left them behind. I don't regret that move.

Bob said...

I cannot understand Apple Tree In A Bag. Who would ever think that's a thing?
i like the tale of Mike Miller-Smith; good on him.

Ms. Moon said...

I can practically hear that tree screaming for help. Perhaps you could offer to plant it in your garden for them? That would be a lot of work, though.

Michael said...

I am surprised that the apple tree has survived for as long as it has. I have never heard of collecting soda cans. A soda can collection would be a great way to teach marketing techniques to students, and how cans have changed over the years.

The Bug said...

I'll bet you're right about your tooth. I have an old amalgam filling that's disintegrating & instead of replacing it with a porcelain filling he's giving me a crown. That's only about a $500 difference in cost. Sheesh.

Boud said...

The apple tree in a bag idea is doomed. Aside from growth, what about pollination? Oh well.

Marcia LaRue said...

I use to love 💓 cream soda but I quit drinking soft drinks long ago ... the sugar! Ugh! Double ugh for the diet versions!

gz said...

I can understand someone wanting a tree in that bare setting.
However not the best choice.

Ellen D. said...

Those Soda Folk heroes were nice to read about. It is lovely to hear good news these days!

NewRobin13 said...

I wish you could rescue that apple tree. It is so sad to see it dying like that.
I think it must be 60 years since I've had a cream soda. I forgot there was such a flavor.
Hope all goes well with that tooth.

Sharon said...

That soda can looks strangely familiar to me. I think I might have had a soda in a can like that sometime before.
Treating a tree like that is a crime. Trying to grow a tree that way makes no sense at all.

Margaret said...

What a great story about the soda can! I admire the company for doing that.

잡동사니 스튜디오 said...

I came across this article by chance.

Keeping an apple tree in a bag is like raising a child with its legs tied.

It's a pity that the apple tree is still alive and has not given up hope for life.

I am Korean, so I am writing this comment through a translator.

I hope the translation goes well.

Kelly said...

How interesting about the soda company! Mmmm... I haven't had a cream soda in ages and I always liked them. Love Olga standing patiently (or maybe she's exasperated?) in the photo with the tree.

Catalyst said...

I was confused by your post's title. Does it mean someone is flying a can? Or does it mean someone "can" pilot? And then the picture of Olga right below that. I'm glad you explained everything before I had to be institutionalized.

Red said...

I haven't seen cream soda here for a long time. Now I'm going to have to look for it.

Jeanie said...

Dentists always want to do something elaborate. And that's great -- but never inexpensive! That's a fun can.

Steve Reed said...

Andrew: Maybe that's the same drink? I have no idea!

Linda Sue: That's exactly how my tooth broke! I hope my dentist suggests what Dennis did for you.

YP: I agree. It breaks my heart to see it like that.

Mitchell: You're probably right. I don't know how they'd ever be able to get rid of all that soil.

Ed: My brother still has his can collection but I was perfectly happy to let go of mine!

Bob: I know! And where did that tree come from?! It doesn't look like a nursery specimen.

Ms Moon: It's too big to move, at least without a dolly or some sort of cart. I don't even think a wheelbarrow would work.

Michael: That's true! I always thought it would be a great way to teach graphic design, too.

Bug: Wonder why he doesn't just give you a new filling?!

Boud: And yet it has apples every year. Its first year they were quite large.

Marcia: I haven't had it since I was a kid. I don't even remember what it tastes like!

GZ: Exactly! Or at least put it in a planter! But in all fairness maybe they couldn't afford one.

Ellen D: Isn't it? Yeah, I love the positive spirit of the company. Too bad I don't drink soda!

Robin: I agree. I wish I could bring it back to our garden and plant it. We have too many trees already, though.

Sharon: Interesting! Or maybe you've just seen the packaging somewhere?

Margaret: Well, I'm sure that's the goal -- to gain admiration for the company! (I'm not being cynical, I swear.)

잡동사니 스튜디오: Thank you for your comment! I agree the apple tree situation is sad. I wish I could plant it somewhere!

Kelly: I haven't had one in ages either! Not since high school, probably.

Catalyst: Well, see, my headline was meant to raise questions in your mind that only my post could answer. Mission accomplished!

Red: I suspect it's not as popular now as it once was.

Jeanie: I am all about simplicity and the "wait-and-see" approach to dentistry!

ellen abbott said...

that poor tree needs water.