About a week ago, I asked my girlfriend's parents--who are avid fair goers and garden center visitors--if they would mind looking for an olive tree for me. I've been looking for one for a while but to no avail. Yesterday, they surprised me with a little tree that is absolutely adorable.



Olive trees were considered especially sacred in ancient Hellas, most notably in Athens, where the growth of an olive tree provided Athena victory over Poseidon in who would become the patron of the city. Olive tree branches and olive oil were used as gifts for the winners of athletic competitions, and many groves integrated the trees as well. It's a perfect symbol. and with the Panathenaia coming up in July, I really wanted to have a thriving olive tree in honor of Athena--and now I can!