We all seem to have a bunch to say. As John and I are traveling down the road, things just pop into my head. I contemplate the thought for a moment and then let it travel to some often unreachable part of my brain.
When it resurfaces without prompting, I have decided I need to put it down somewhere. This blog is a good place to store things. Many, many thoughts have been set down and have been useful at some point.
So... Saguaro Cacti. They are amazing and only grow in a specific and limited part of Arizona. They might grow in other places, but then I would have to do research. Not today.
Anyway, back to Saguaro. This year, I checked when they started to appear on our drive from Flagstaff to Tucson. Elevation, 3248. They are fond of southern exposure and don't need much water.
As a person who has reached 72, I really appreciate how they manage their lives. First, they don't even bother to develop the iconic arms until well into their 50's. They spend their first half-century just standing and settling into their lives. They are not being bothered by their offspring's demands. They are just growing and jiving with their friends. When the time comes, the arms do appear along with flowers and fruit. Being desert plants, they only bloom at night. Early on, they realize they must reserve water, and the sun can be harsh in their chosen environment. It simply works for them. The night-blooming plant limits pollinators. Bees and birds are not night creatures, but bats excel at pollination.
As they continue their 250+ years of life, they begin to weaken and eventually fall victim to age and gravity. But the best part of their life is how they become more useful to the world they inhabit as they age. Gila Woodpeckers make nests in their flesh and raise their young. The nests later become home to small creatures and Elf Owls. At the very end, their long spines become tools to harvest the younger compatriots' fruit. What a great life cycle.
We could learn from their example. Take time to grow and live, enjoy a productive life, and as you leave, continue to contribute. Make friends with small interesting birds and leave useful tools when you leave.
