Just a couple of days ago, I was elated to find the prickly pear cacti in bloom. The plants were full of buds and had open blooms. The bright yellow was like sunshine in the garden spot. The blooms brightened the day starting at dawn. Then, this morning, I find that all of the blooms and the buds are on the ground. Some critter had decided to tangle with the cacti and obviously did a bit of thrashing about after being stuck by the many spines. Those needle-like things can cause major irritations when lodged in the skin.
Now, I am pondering just what came in contact with the cacti. They are in pots in the middle of the yard so this was not an accidental, gentle "rub by". I am thinking more of a squabble between two coons. Perhaps there was a territorial spat in the back yard and the pair wound up inadvertently pummeling the cacti. If this was the case, I can only imagine how both coons must feel now. Those spines are a doozy to remove!
It saddens me to know that the cacti are lacking buds but I did get one last photo of the beauty. A single bud actually unfurled even though it had been ripped from the cactus. It was tossed onto the ground but still opened and brought joy.
Back when this whole quarantine thing started, I noticed on social media that a lot of folks were having a hard time coping with the idea that they had to stay home. It seems that, even though we should be thankful we have a home, it is a struggle to be there for days on end. I do not have that problem as the Bayou is where I prefer to be and I prefer to be there without other people. But, back to those folks grappling with the prospect of being home-bound for a length of time. When I realized they were only seeing the downside of things, I decided to post one photograph each day of something to hopefully lift their spirits. I created "Thing of Beauty" posts and asked my friends to do the same. It went over well with several following suit. That, in itself, is a thing of beauty.
Today, I posted a photograph of an Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. The image was particularly interesting to me as I managed to catch the first sun rays of the morning illuminating the bloom. It was almost as if the yellow flower was glowing. So, I used that idea to make a point about how each day is a gift and we should try our best to "glow" in appreciation. That idea got me to thinking about how it is totally up to us how we start our days. Yes, things do often go awry but our outlook determines how we deal with whatever is thrown at us. Beginning the day with a positive attitude goes a long way in determining the path we will follow. Going back to the quarantine, I refuse to look at it as a bad thing. Folks are being forced to become family again. Folks are being made to realize that not everything they "had to have" a few months back is even pertinent now. Folks are sharing, caring and being generally nice folks. Yes, there are those "people" (some people are just not folks) who are taking the wrong road and going off the deep end. But those are the few....the many are being decent human beings. They are glowing...something folks have not done for some time now.
The cactus will keep on growing and blooming. Hopefully, folks will keep on growing, blooming and glowing right along with the plant. Life is only as good as you make it regardless of the situation. No, a smile is not going to make the virus go away. It is not going to repair financial problems. Nor will it keep you from going stir crazy because you cannot be with your friends. It will, however, make the day brighter...for you and anyone who is on the receiving end of your friendly gesture. Be happy, folks. Glow!
