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Cacti & Succulents

Mom's idea of gardening ...

Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)

7 years ago

My beautiful, precious Mom is suffering from vascular dementia following TIA mini strokes. She's doing very well medically and has taken an interest in gardening again.

I keep finding melon seeds in my Thanksgiving cactus ... all 8 pots! Last week I found a lettuce stalk in my sedum, dry twigs in the rubber tree, and a plumeria cutting in my bromeliads. Yesterday's masterpiece was a real chuckle ... She was very proud of herself! Gotta love her!

- Maria Elena

Featured Answer

Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

How cute;). LatinLady I'm sorry to hear about your mom:(, but sounds like she's doing well:). Your Kalanchoe looks like a Christmas tree! Gardening is so wonderfully therapeutic. Succulents is something my mom and I bond over also. I actually really cherish the time:). Love how your mom leaves you little treasures in your plants. The small things in life are the things that truly make you happy;). Thanks for sharing and take care:).

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Comments (13)

SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
7 years ago
I was going to say looks like she's hankering for Christmas. Very sweet. Little surprises here and there.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
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Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
Original Author
7 years ago
They're hibiscus flowers ... That was so funny! And the leafless lettuce stalk left me with my mouth open.
hookilau
7 years ago
Bless her heart she's got the right idea =D

Stick it in the ground/dirt and it will grow, or it should if it had any sense, right? LOL!

Ahh, I DO recognize the Hibiscus, composition is very pleasing to the eye.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked hookilau
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
Hibiscus flowers on that kalanchoe look actually very nice :)

Gardening is great therapy, and it's really good that your mom is interested again. Whatever she does, she must be really enjoying it. All the best to her and to you in taking care of her.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
gardenfanatic2003
7 years ago
I'm glad you're taking it in stride. Both my parents have Alzheimer's, and it can be heartbreaking to think about who they used to be.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked gardenfanatic2003
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)
Original Author
7 years ago
GF, I really hear your pain and am so sorry.

I just accept Mom where & how she is and enjoy what precious moments we have now. Another stroke can be fatal or leave her bedridden. I hope she stays just like this for the next 18 years!

Please click on my username to access my profile page and send me a private message if you'd like to chat further. I can share some useful resources.

- Maria Elena
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
7 years ago
My mother in law is further down this road and no longer walks but is happy and laughs at her incapacities.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked wantonamara Z8 CenTex
Honoree Pellerin_zone7b
7 years ago
This brought tears of happiness to my eyes, and made my heart smile. I grew up in Hawaii where Hibiscus grow everywhere. My grandmother loved them, and she would have loved this story / picture! Thank you for sharing!
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked Honoree Pellerin_zone7b
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
7 years ago
It made me think of making garlands of Hibiscus for Christmas morning. I lived in Hawaii too. That was an early morning tradition for us.
Honoree Pellerin_zone7b
7 years ago
What a wonderful tradition!
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked Honoree Pellerin_zone7b
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
7 years ago
They don't last long but they were great for the day.
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked wantonamara Z8 CenTex
ConnyNL (The Netherlands, 8b)
7 years ago
Very precious memories for the future Maria Elena, very touching :-)
Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a) thanked ConnyNL (The Netherlands, 8b)

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