cactus...

...of christmas white

with new life beginning... buds all around - waiting to open... a sure sign that the holidays are around the corner - along with a new season...

it used to be that my christmas cactus plants remained barren - no buds... year after year after year... the branches would simply hang, empty and dull. i never understood it. my mother's always had an abundance of flowers - well into the spring time... were beautiful... and she never had to do much - just water the plant... i on the other hand, would nuture carefully - talk to mine... prune them - coddle... sigh...

one year - i decided enough was enough and i was going to try my mom's way... ignore the plants. well, at least the christmas cactus ones that is... and what do you know? all of a sudden, tiny buds formed - and then more - and more... and now they overflow and i have flowers into the spring time just like mom's... but you know what? i can't control myself now... i do end up talking to them -- just a bit... for encouragement's sake. i need to let them know, or maybe it's more for me, that someone's looking after them and cares. it's a part of who i am and silly or not... it makes

for

a

happy day.....

p.s. i'd like to acknowledge those who left beautiful messages for me yesterday... regarding the anniversary of my daddy's passing - the warmth and sense of compassion from you all is overwhelming and i'm grateful you took the time to say something when sometimes words are difficult to find in such a situation. it was a soothing balm for me, though, so i thank you... very much... xx