Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Beauty and the Beast

This is a plant only a mother could love. I mean, look at it. Tall and spindly with awkward limbs and prickly things all over it. The poor thing. I guess it's original mom (my neighbor) didn't even love it because she abandoned it by the roadside when she moved away.

So I, being the mother of all lost and lonely things, decided to adopt it. I sent my husband across the street to get it for me. He kept asking me if I was sure I wanted it. He knows that I have no love for gardening. I have a brown thumb--no, make that a black thumb. Only plants that require no care and prefer to be left alone, are plants that will survive in my home or yard. I said "Yes, I am sure. It's a cactus, I can't kill it."

Poor thing. He has been through a lot. He is bruised and scarred. See that front limb that is cut off? That was an act of vandalism. Our house happens to be next to a greenbelt that gets a lot of foot and bike traffic. I guess someone took offense to Mr. Cactus (or to us) and thought mutilating a poor, homely, defenseless little cactus would be fun. Can you believe it? People can be so cruel. So we promptly moved him to a small little patio that is protected by a fence.

And there he sits. Bothering no one and asking for nothing. Sometimes he gets a little water because I do remember that a cactus needs a little water now and again. Quiet and unassuming is a good thing in a plant.

Well, I guess Mr. Cactus is grateful for even the smallest of favors.




Remember when mother told you, "Never judge a book by its cover?" Well, never judge a plant by its cover either. It is true in people and true in plants, that beautiful and wonderful things can lurk beneath the most unlikely facade.




19 comments:

  1. Yippee! I LOVE when that happens! Just goes to show you what a little love can do...

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  2. Wow...look what you were able to accomplish with that cactus. That is pretty amazing! Glad you changed its path and gave her another chance to bloom.

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  3. What a great story: a botanical version of "The Ugly Duckling." The cactus flowers are beautiful.

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  4. Oh, is that what it is? An Orchid Cactus? Thank you, Sue Ann! Thanks for the comments, everyone.

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  5. That's beautiful! I've never heard of an orchid cactus. Great story, too.

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  6. You are such a love. (for the record, I buy silk flowers and plant them in pots, my thumb fell off). My daughter tells me there is beauty in everything (she's a photographer. I do believe you have found the inner beauty here...

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  7. I didn't realize you had another blog (I follow your Big Green Bowl site). Can't wait to keep reading this one too!

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  8. I love this!!!
    I, too, have a garden full of cactus ( because it's all I can grow) and they are hearty, tough little survivors. I guess that's why I like them so much.

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  9. Oh my! I love the surprise ending. I honestly wasn't expecting those gorgeous flowers, even though you hinted at them in the title. Thank you for rescuing the cactus, and providing us all with such a sweet and meaningful story.

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  10. Thanks for the story Michael Ann. I have the same cactus in my office that a friend gave me as cuttings. I have now had to cut it back severely 4 times! It truly is like Little Shop of Horrors in here when it overgrows its pot. Mine is a bright orange red and very beautiful when it blooms. So if anyone wants some cuttings, it is truly due for another 'pruning' as it is looking very "Audrey-like" at the moment.....

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  11. That's a beautiful story! and the lesson is there for all of us!

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  12. Great story! There is hope for me yet. Wonderful to see the plant kingdom hasn't turned on you too. Absolutely beautiful flowers! Thanks for popping over to my site today!

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  13. How heartwarming to see a cactus that looked so ordinary turn into something so beautiful! Congratulations for seeing its potential--and for remembering to water it! ;)

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  14. I loved this post! There is in fact something beautiful in all living things and I'm glad you were able to see that in this "little" cactus! I can't believe someone would harm a plant! Unbelievable! I'm just glad you've been able to nurse it back to health and it seems to be thriving under your care, black thumb or not! :)

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  15. It like the ugly duckling blossoming into a lovely swan.

    I don't have a green thumb either. You made me think of my plants on the patio that I've left for the rain to water. :-o I'm terrible buy you know, when I'm attentive, my plants tend to wither away but when I neglect them, they do just fine. Think they're trying to tell me something?

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  16. Thank you all so much! All your comments made me smile!

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  17. ---So symbolic & beautiful.
    The ugly duckling transforming into the great white swan.
    love it! :)

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