December 31st, 2006
hope springs eternal
While musing over which photo to use to head up my last post of 2006, I came across this snap taken near Tonto National Monument, Arizona, in 2001. The Saguaro was one of a couple of dozen that, if I remember correctly, had been relocated due to some highway improvement work. All of the cacti had been propped up with a crazy array of boards and cables. It seemed like it might be overly optimistic to expect positive results from such a transplant effort, but apparently, the cacti usually survive the ordeal. And so it goes with many things. Regardless of how messed up everything appears to be, life goes on and things change, hopefully for the better. Today, as I look around at the state of the world, I have to hope that, like the cactus, the situation will improve. In my own small, quiet way, I will try to do what I can to help out.
Best wishes to all of you in the coming year.
Tags: Saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea
January 1st, 2007 at 3:03 am
Bev, I have learned so much from your posts this year. Nature is resilient and adaptable. So we must strive to adjust to ongoing, inevitable change. People like you do make a difference. Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2007 at 3:14 am
We have to be the change we want to see in the world around us – we do what we can, and every good thing (no matter how small) has positive results on this dear little blue planet we call home.
Best wishes to you, Bev, and may the new year be full of that which is good and bright and true. Like Ruth, I have learned so much by coming here, adn I look forward to new wisdom encountered here in the coming year.
January 1st, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Ruth and Cate – Thanks for your remarks about having learned a few new things from visiting this blog. There’s so much that can be learned about and from the natural world and I see nature blogs as such a wonderful means of sharing what we know. A happy new year to both of you.
January 1st, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Happy New Year, Bev! That is truly a fantastic photo for the new year. It captures both the insane things we humans do to the planet and the absolute endurance of living things. Excellent choice.
I love seeing the world through your eyes, and even more than that, through your sensibilities.
January 1st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Bev, the more I studied the cactus picture the more I saw the real beauty that lay beyond the mere hope of its spiney survival. It’s the beauty those jury-rigged poles and cables represent. It’s found in the long, probably hot, tedious and potentially hazaradous day of hard uncertain work for people trying to make their little corner of the world a better place.
Happy New Year, Bev – I’m so glad I stumbled onto your little corner of the world. Like the cactus-rescue picture – it’s an oasis of whimsy and hope. Thanks :0)
January 1st, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Bev, it gives you a good feeling to see that they actually took the time and trouble to transplant the cacti instead of just dozing them aside. All the best for the New Year.
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:38 am
A good wish, and a great photo! I wish you and yours all the best in the coming year.
January 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 am
That’s quite a poignant photo, Bev. I like the notion of trying to improve the general situation in some small way, and that encapsulates it for me.
January 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Thanks, everyone! Yes, it’s kind of a special photo. As Cathy has mentioned, the rescue effort would have been difficult as these cacti are heavy and would be very perilous to work around. I’ve seen photos of ones that have fallen over and done major damage to cars, etc…, so I can only begin to imagine the difficulties of attempting to transplant a group of them. They are beautiful though. The first time I was in Arizona was in late April, and each day, I would rise before dawn and sit outdoors to watch the changing light as I found it and the atmosphere and wildlife activity so fascinating. The saguaro were flowering at that time, and the nectar of the blooms attract nocturnal and early dawn visitors – birds, insects and bats (I didn’t see the bats). If I sat near a saguaro, I could be assured of seeing a steady stream of visitors. I also enjoyed watching the Gila Woodpeckers that make nest holes inside of the saguaro. What an ideal spot – almost like having a little hideout in an armored fortress. Can you guess that I’m missing the desert just a little?
May 16th, 2007 at 6:08 am
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].
Peace Be With You
Micky