Friday, November 26, 2010

Christmas is Coming

Yesterday my American friends celebrated their Thanksgiving and for most it signaled the beginning of the Christmas season. In Canada our Harvest Festival is in early October, which is too early - despite what retailers say - to even start thinking about holiday-tide so I've always taken my cue from my American cousins. Here in Italy I've never quite figured out what the signal is for the start of the run up to December 25th so I've created my own.


When Betty Jean's Christmas cactus blooms its time to start thinking about the holidays. And this year its getting set to Bloom with a capital B! I've counted 40 buds - the most I've had on any Christmas cactus.

As I look at it on the windowsill I'm reminded of Betty Jean, Stephen, Sarah and Brian and our friendship during our time together in Warsaw and, as difficult as it was, here in Roma. And it also reminds me of so many of our friends around the world - in Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, England, Greece, the United States, here in Italy, in various parts of Canada and back home in Ottawa. Friendships that have bloomed over the years and continue to do so. Reaching back to my American friends holiday - for that I am truly thankful.

26 novembre - Sant'Umile da Bisignano

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5 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I hope you'll post another photo of your Christmas cactus when it is in full bloom -- gorgeous!

David said...

I think unseasonal snow will be our cue - but I am a bahhumbugger until at the very earliest 25 November - any more than a month's run up to Xmas is intolerable. Which has not stopped the shops and the markets blaring out Slade's Merry Xmas for the last six weeks. Telly with ads is also to be avoided.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see the cactus is doing so well. I have just acquired a cutting from my grandmother's 70-year old Christmas cactus... blooms really do provide connections through space and time.
bj

yvette said...

Let us have a CCCS...(Christmas cactus Cyber Show) keep an eye on my side of the world( not really far awy from yours). And snow is already in Vence. (Grrrrrr)

yvette said...

I am sure you have a beautiful Christmas cactus this time back in Ottawa. Mine are in full bloom by now. A good sign ?