Lifestyle

Local resident Maria Santos expressed bewilderment Tuesday after discovering that her houseplant, a resilient succulent named Gerald, continues to thrive despite her systematic neglect and apparent botanical incompetence.

Beth Newell (staff writer)

PORTLAND, OR — I’ve tried everything, Santos said, gesturing helplessly at the flourishing plant. “I’ve forgotten to water it for months, put it in direct sunlight when it clearly hates it, and even accidentally fed it pizza once. Nothing works.” Gerald, purchased three years ago as a “low-maintenance” option, has grown from a modest 3-inch pot plant to what Santos describes as “an unstoppable green monster” that now dominates her living room. Experts suggest the plant may be thriving purely out of spite.

By Wendy Harmer

Wendy Harmer was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a town where storytelling carried as much weight as gumbo recipes and front-porch debates. She went on to study journalism at Louisiana State University, where she sharpened her voice into a blend of humor, insight, and fearless critique. Now based in Washington, D.C., Harmer has become a respected satirist whose essays and performances dissect political hypocrisy, media spin, and cultural contradictions with unmistakable wit. Her work has been featured at international forums on satire, cited in academic studies of political humor, and included in university curricula on democratic communication. Known for pairing empathy with biting irony, Harmer brings her Southern candor to national conversations. From Natchitoches to Capitol Hill, she proves that satire—equal parts scalpel and spotlight—remains essential for keeping power honest and audiences laughing.