GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Marinela Rusu sat in solitude, flanked by bags of potting soil and a wave of green. She maintained a steady conversation without earbuds or a cellphone, as her “babies” listened intently.

With each scoop of dirt, she affirmed a promise to care for every plant at the Clay County Senior Services of Aging True. That means coming to the facility every day to water all of her “babies” and making sure each flower bed is free of debris and weeds.

Marinela keeps a small journal to jot notes for future projects. She scribbles ideas for winter plants, and which plants grow best at the different sides of the building where seniors can break monotony of everyday life by participating in classes and activities.

And she does it for free.

Marinela came to the center after she retired to join arts and crafts. She didn’t want a day of sitting at home alone with the television remote in hand. There was too much energy, and too much passion, remaining to wither away in reclusion.

When she arrived at the center, she noticed the flower beds were in disarray. Suddenly, she had a purpose.

“I saw the garden uncared for,” she said. “It was dry. Everything was bad. I asked, ‘What happened with the gardens? You don’t have anyone to care for them?’ She said they had a volunteer two years ago, but he couldn’t get clearance to continue.”

So, she volunteered for the job.

Since April, Marinela has cleared most beds and transplanted bright, colorful flowers, herbs and plants. The surrounding areas at the center have been transformed from clutter into an inviting spray of radiant borders and patches.

She read that if she talked to the plants, they reacted favorably. So, she talks. And she said when they blossom, they’re talking back.

“After I retired, I did my trips. I did whatever I wanted to do,” Marinela said. “Then there was nothing to do. I just stayed at home and watched TV. My daughter lives in Denver, and she started to call me every day to check on me. She said, ‘Mom, you need to get out of the house.’ But where?”

A neighbor mentioned the senior center. I used to work two jobs, so I couldn’t just stop. A neighbor brought me here in September, and I liked it. One day I noticed the gardens. I like gardening, so I asked if I could do something.”

Marinela has been coming up every day since April. Visitors noticed the changes and started bringing seeds and asking for advice. Her work has seemingly become part of the center’s daily operation.

“I have three steps. First is to clean, then design and then maintenance,” she said. “People started noticing. They told me how nice things looked. I really appreciated that. I tell my babies how much everyone likes them. I ask them every day, ‘How are my babies doing? How have you been holding up?’

“Every day I tell them mama’s here. They are happy. I have my own thing. I’m a talker, so it’s been easy for me.”

Marinela said she won’t cover the beds during a freeze warning because “it’s a nature thing. I tell them I will pray for them. I tell them Mother Nature loves them.”

Marinela now has purpose. She eagerly gets dirt under her fingernails and fidgets in sweltering heat to keep her “babies” happy. The arts and crafts class designed several knick-knacks that she’s placed around the garden to provide more color and themes. Her work has been noticed. More importantly, it’s appreciated.

“If you slow down, Mother Nature will get you,” she said. “I have so much more to do.”