# Pulling Earth #12: Succulents and homework

By [Pulling Earth](https://paragraph.com/@pulling-earth) · 2022-02-17

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![Succulent. Dec 15, 2021.](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/6ea9db07dfe3bc63f873e98d31c14d7abf96ac963087da390b8e38fb1abc230b.jpg)

Succulent. Dec 15, 2021.

_Previously posted on_ [_pullingearth.substack.com_](http://pullingearth.substack.com)_. Dec 16, 2021._

Elsie and I are busy at work. She’s on the couch doing a historical places assignment. She still needs one more location. I’m at the dining room table sketching a succulent, tentatively weighing in when I dare. I’m taking the being-nearby-just-in-case-you-want-to-talk approach on the off chance I can help. It’s a delicate balance and I’m rallying for the right moment. I suggest some music and put on [Oscar Peterson Plays the George Gershwin Songbook](https://email.mg2.substack.com/c/eJwlkU1uxCAMhU8TlhGQn0kWLFpV7bKVeoDIAU-CykAKpmluX9JIFs_Cz7L1WQPhEuKhCBOxLSSa6NhQedyTQyKMLCeMkzWKGdUaMXQDs2m6R8QHWKcoZmRbnp3VQDb409nxXg6SrQr5XcCgWxDjjXd6xAFuKCXvoZdtNw7XQMjGoteo8AfjETwyp1aiLVXNUyVfS-z7Xh8hU56x1uFRfiKm7Kg4XhNC1Ov0nUtv1by8Jw2xks8fWHZPwZ-pgyMVpRXL-4YhLlcS07rb0_EZ_FLkOYQvZpXkUggpet50XDa1rG_jPJqZixkENrf-Xkuhf_PoddXyxyLrlOdEoL_O3VhUM2oNBn7wKPXlpPRfKJCmoo_sLR0TepgdmosfXfj_iU4LeozlLGYCUqJvxl72BVfbjheuArjtulYMXLAy2YTS5dWWnbN-KTBo_QMlT58d). She seems to like it. It feels like a win.

I like this succulent. The leaves are thick and smooth and have a deep contrast from light to dark across their surface. Although, I’m finding it hard to capture the round plumpness of the cotyledonary cups. I change my viewing angle to deal with the reflection from my lamp. That’s better. From this vantage point I can see how the leaves seem to embrace the stem completely and touch each other.

Elsie says a few things to me. We are chitchatting now as we labour away. But still, no mention of homework.

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*Originally published on [Pulling Earth](https://paragraph.com/@pulling-earth/pulling-earth-12-succulents-and-homework)*