Magnolia Journal: Plant Lady

I don’t interview people nearly as much as I used to, in my journalism school days. But recently, I had the opportunity to interview someone and I was reminded of a special gift—the kind that doesn’t happen as often as it should, but when it does, it’s magic. The kind of moment where time stops, the walls come down, and you feel like you can really see each other (even over the phone).

The gift was a conversation with Mikey McCall. Wife, mom of six, daughter, sister, lover of all retro and green things…if you know Mikey, you know she’s the best.

She’s also the dreamer and visionary behind Ferny’s Retro Plant Shop, which is for sure one of the cutest lil’ stops in Waco and I have at least three green friends from there (that are, so far, still alive).

You can shop from Mikey’s shop here, watch the journey of opening Ferny’s unfold here, and read the story I wrote about her in the summer ‘23 issue of Magnolia Journal here. This line is a favorite—not because I wrote it, but because I can honestly say that it’s true:

“Her story sings a beautiful song, one that says our lives are even richer when we savor each other and the world around us.”

Shop, watch, and read all the Ferny’s things—and I dare you to not love it. Or want to grow something.

Note: This was the final issue under the incredible direction of Anna Mitchael, my predecessor and phenomenal writer and editor. Great news for all of us is, she’s still writing and editing great things. Check out her work here.