Every year, when the temperatures are consistently above freezing, we drag our house plants out to what used to be the dog's fenced in playground. Since we no longer have dogs, this is a safe move. When Rooby and Buddy were still part of the family, anything that was the least bit obstructive to their freedom was in peril. They were nice dogs, don't get me wrong, but severely destructive. Rooby, our Jack Russell, could fly through the dog door en route to squirrel patrol under an aging birch with the agility of a seasoned pole vaulter, barely touching the ground before roaring half way up the tree, snapping at an unsuspecting red squirrel. She was a fearless hunter. Buddy, our Golden, on the other hand, would merely crash into the door until it opened, disregarding the dog door altogether. They got along well.
Our plants enjoy the outside to varying degrees. The 40-year-old hibiscus always looks mostly dead after a long winter. In the back yard, after some rains and warmer temperatures, it goes totally out of its mind — flowers everywhere! The geraniums, not so much. They seem, for some reason, to hate being outside and only get more pathetic in summer. Never quite figured that out. Of course, we don't do anything to help them. All for one and one for all in our backyard!
The cactuses just sit quietly all summer. Come what may, they do nothing. Four plants of little interest. However, in late October, when brought indoors, they awaken. But here's the thing. We thought they were Christmas cactuses, which implies Christmas blooms. A week before Thanksgiving the photo above shows up, fully a month before Christmas.
Nana Kiley, our adopted grandmother, who has a cactus also exploding, told me that there are several varieties of cactus — Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. I never attended cactus school.
But, I see on Facebook that many cactuses around the area are blooming beautifully, too. They certainly are pretty, for any holiday.