Your eyes don't deceive you. That's a purple cactus pad, laying there on top of my potting desk junk, and it's decided to BLOOM! No soil, no roots even. It hasn't been potted yet, so it can't "bloom where it's planted."
I went outside after dark to see the stars, and a yellow downlight was shining on my potting desk. That's when I saw the bloom. This purple prickly pear pad is a cutting from a larger plant that is dying. I figured that I could cut a few pads, leave them to callus over, and plant them for next year.
I hadn't figured on the tenacity of this particular cactus! Nothing was going to stop it from celebrating spring! It's blooming!
My first thought was to dedicate a post to Sally Cheeseman! (You see, Sally's special to me. She encouraged me during the very first month I joined Active Rain, and is responsible in large part for my sticking with blogging on AR through all the growth pains. I don't think I ever told her.)
Positive Attitude For the Weary Soul
It was Sally Cheeseman in Hawaii who started this group and continues to moderate it. In the time since I joined the Active Rain Real Estate Network a couple of years ago, POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul has been a source of strength when things didn't go my way.
If you're not a member, click the link and JOIN UP!
Thanks, Sally!
Hello Mike and this is a great group and I use to be a member years ago and I think I will join again! Thanks for the reminder and Sally is one of my favorites!
Featured at .......
SUCCESS AT ACTIVERAIN
Hi Mike! Well, you know, about 15 years ago I bought this cute little ranch house that had a pool in the back, surrounded with these cacti--same beautiful yellow flower and all! I had two little boys who inevitably would fall into these things as they were playing in the backyard and I would pick those itty bitty clear but, deadly (not really but, they thought they were dying!) pricklies out of their little feet, legs, arms and hands for HOURS! I always said I was going to dig them up and the little yellow flowers would suddenly appear and I would say, "Gosh, I can't get rid of these things now!" Finally, the boys stopped falling into them and we sold the house with the cacti intact!
Happy Tuesday...
That was sooo sweet Mke! The cacti pictures are wonderful and your sentiments even more...I hug you! (BTW...got here through Robert on FB :) The power of AR to Fb and back lol
Wow, I had no idea they did that. Amazing how God's creation is geared for life!
Mike, it is totally amazing at the tenacity of some plants. Their ability to survive is amazing...
Helping you help others live their American dream...
HA! I purchased some Aster tubers about 2 months ago from a vendor at a Farmers' Market in Leesburg. They are there every Saturday throughout the year.
I was waiting for the ground to get to about 55 degrees to plant them, but I completely forgot about them (sitting on my potting bench).
A couple of days ago, while looking for apot to plant some Basil seeds, I discovered that the Aster tubors had sprouted on their own and had sprouts about 2 inches long.
I got them in a big pot in about 15 minutes.
Lenn,
There's a business lesson there somewhere! Thanks for commenting.
Michael,
True!
Doreen,
Thanks for commenting! What do we have to do to get you blogging again in the Rain?!
Sally,
Hugs back! I'm just telling the truth...
Debe,
What a great story! I always appreciate seeing you on my blog.
Vegas Bob,
Thanks! ...for being the first to comment, and for the feature too!
Mike in Tucson
Mike - that is so amazing - how that cactus made up it's mind that Spring is here and going to be celebrated!!!! the wonders of life itself!
That was very touching, what a nice gesture. I have a palm tree that is flowering like it never has been before. Makes me wonder what is going on in the world of plants.
Your very welcome Mike and I love the catus photos!
VB ;-)
Nature is amazing!! I love this post...it's one of hope!!
Lovely photos (as always ) -- we have some cactus cuttings we are hoping take also -- all the best with your.
It just goes to show you that if you live in a tough environment, you either adapt, or perish. I would say the cactus is one tough plant.
Mike, I've never had any luck with cactus, but I love that you do! Imagine, on top of the junk with no dirt. You really are good!!!
What a wonderful post and so fitting for our economy and current affairs right now! Tenacity, always prevails!
Hi Mike- thought I'd drop in for a visit- thanks for stopping by my blog:)
Love your cactus- I always associated cactus with warm weather climates- having grown up in Florida they are very prevalent. Then for a time I lived in Mechanicsburg PA and sure enough my neighbors had a huge cactus on the property line between their house and mine. I used to be in awe every spring when the snow thawed and the cactus survived and sure enough...it would bloom. What a wonderful treat.
Mike,
Thank you for the information with regards to the AR group (I did not know about it till now). I have just subscribed to the group! Well it sure looks like we can learn a lot form the tenacity of the cactus an there are times in our lives where we also need to apply tenacity.
Gerry,
You're welcome; thanks for subscribing. We do all need to be tenacious about what matters.
Anonymous,
Wish I knew who you are...
Jane,
You bet! Thanks for commenting.
Connie,
No, it's nothing I did. That's just one determined cactus!
Larry,
There's a life lesson there, eh?
Carolin,
I'll be looking for some photos!
Joan,
My thoughts exactly! Hope all is well back on the east coast.
Vegas Bob,
I'll bet you have some growing in your yard.
Cynthia,
It's a promising year for plants. Now for people... :)
Barbara-Jo,
Nothing is going to stop this cactus from celebrating spring!
Mike in Tucson
Hello Mike and yes I think I do!