Guest in Jest #76 The Arty Plantsman

This week’s  “Guest in Jest” guest is:

The Arty Plantsman

 

A subtle message from my wife?

(For the record, I am a straight, bearded, gym-going man from a faded industrial town the North of England (Britain’s version of the US ‘Rust Belt’, only we have proper rust because it rains all the time). Where I grew up, any male who eschewed soccer and lager was regarded as dangerously radical. Women were for leering at until you snared one into doing your housework for you.)

Given the above environment, and the lack of positive female role models in my childhood, I have a perhaps surprising outlook:

My closest friends are women. This has always been the case and always will be. I have never been on a stag night but have been the only man on a hen night, twice. I love the ladies in my life for their humour, warmth, emotional intelligence, strength and just being downright amazing people.

Recently, admittedly, the feminine influence in my life has grown further. I started wearing Puravida bracelets (gift from a female friend), I was first man in line for a Henna tattoo at the work Diwali event and I spend more time at the spa than my wife does.

On my blog last year I speculated about having my nails painted and complained about the limited colour choices in men’s clothing. I am still seriously thinking about the nails thing.

I accept that the botanical art I am involved in has historically been a female pursuit too.

Then recently my very conservative Harley-riding, cigar-smoking, power-tool obsessed neighbour did a double-take on seeing me posing for photographs in my garden in a feather boa. Partly this was deliberate on my part – I like winding him up.

However, I am still in possession of male genitalia and libido. They may be underutilised but are still present and functional, honest.

 

To the point of my tale:

My (blue) electric toothbrush died last week. My wife bought me a new one.

It is pink.

Yes. Pink.

It might be that there were only pink ones left in the shop. I have not dared ask – I might not like the answer..