A cold week

To say it has been cold is an understatement. Over the past weekend it never got above zero and we've had a sting of below zero mornings. But through it all my old Christmas cactus has been blooming.

Saturday, Dec. 30

Sunday, Dec. 31

Monday, Jan. 1

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Christmas Decor

Bike rim wreaths

The Christmas cactus this year.

Frankie and Uno from mom.

Various things

Catching up on being back from vacation. I realize that my trips to Cozumel have become more about seeing the friendly faces of the people I have met on the island.

Snorkeling, swimming and eating fresh fish are still fun and important but I have met some really nice people in Cozumel and I enjoy seeing them. Granted nearly everyone I interact with is a staff of a restaurant or hotel but I am always greeted with a smile and asked how I am doing.

One thing about traveling that gets me though is how people dress while flying. I understand that people want to be comfortable but wearing pajamas, baggy sweat pants and looking unkempt go beyond comfort. People should put a little effort into looking like they care what others have to deal with.

Here are a few photos I either didn't have time to post or were on a device I didn't have access to.

The main plaza construction is complete. There is a very fancy fountain in the middle now.

I finally got a new mask. The scuba store had a mask that still fit my prescription lenses from 30 some years ago! 

I didn't have a chance to post the photo of the giant Thanksgiving cactus that started blooming on Thanksgiving.

Christmas? cactus

Hmmm...this guy looked close to blooming when I left for Denver but I wasn't expecting this...fully bloomed.

Christmas (Thanksgiving) cactus #2

The giant Christmas cactus is starting to bloom. The buds have been looking like Christmas light bulbs for quite a while... almost glowing pink.  Now they are starting to open up.

A very large Christmas cactus (updated)

It is impossible to capture just how dramatic this plant is.  Now five days later than the original pictures below, the blossoms are open and even more amazing.

 My neighbor was going to throw out this enormous Christmas cactus last spring.  I said I would take it just to keep it from being destroyed.

As you can see, it is almost as wide as the buffet.

I have had it in the sunroom all summer and a couple of weeks ago it budded and now is blooming large pink blossoms.

We'll see if it lasts until Christmas but it is very beautiful and enjoyable now.