So, I’ve been on a bit of a mission lately, a small one, but one that occupied my mind for a good few days. It was all about finding a nickname for Frankie. Now, Frankie could be anyone or anything, right? But in this case, Frankie is my new, rather spirited little houseplant that I’ve been trying to keep alive.
The Initial Problem
I named it Frankie pretty much as soon as I got it. It just felt like a Frankie. But then, as I was watering it the other day, “Frankie” on its own started to feel a bit… formal? I guess. I’m the kind of person who nicknames everything, so just “Frankie” wasn’t going to cut it for long. I needed something with a bit more personality, something that would just roll off the tongue when I’m, you know, talking to my plant. Don’t judge.
Brainstorming Begins
My first thoughts were pretty standard. Frank? Too simple, almost like I was giving up. Then my mind went to the more playful side. I scribbled down a few ideas:
- Franky-Doodle
- The Frankster
- Little Frank
- Frankie Baby (maybe a bit much for a plant)
None of them really clicked. They felt a bit forced. I wanted something that would just sort of… emerge.
Observing Frankie
So, I spent some time just looking at Frankie. It’s got these long, kind of spiky leaves, but it’s also got a bit of a droopy, relaxed vibe when it’s had enough water. It’s not a fussy plant, which I appreciate. I thought about its characteristics. “Spike” was an option, but that didn’t feel like Frankie. “Greenie” was too generic.
I actually started calling it “Frankie-boy” for a day or two, just to see how it felt. It was okay, but still not quite there. I even tried “Frankfurter” for a laugh, but that was definitely a no-go for the long term. It just made me hungry.
The “Aha!” Moment (Sort Of)
Then, one morning, I was misting its leaves – it seems to like that – and I just sort of mumbled, “Alright, Franko, time for your spa treatment.” And Franko… well, Franko had a certain ring to it. It felt a bit more laid-back, a bit cooler than just Frankie. It was simple, not too silly, and easy to say.
I tried it out for a few days. “Looking good, Franko.” “Need some more sun, Franko?” It felt natural. It stuck.
Sometimes, when it’s looking particularly perky after a good watering, I might still throw in a “Frankie Pants” for good measure, just because it’s fun. But “Franko” is the go-to. It’s the one that feels like its actual nickname.
Conclusion of This Tiny Quest
So, that’s the story of how Frankie became Franko. It wasn’t a dramatic journey, no spreadsheets or focus groups involved, thankfully. Just a bit of thinking, a bit of observing, and letting it happen naturally. I find that’s usually the best way with these things. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think Franko might need a little chat.