Everyday Miracles

OK, I admit it. I'm far from green-fingered. I like plants, I love flowers but the only plants that have survived in my house are a very forgiving peace lily that hasn't flowered since I brought it home from the office when I left my last job but struggles on with admirable fortitude and this Christmas cactus.

My dad gave me this - I'm not quite sure when but it was probably about 5-6 years ago. It lives in my kitchen, not far from the sink, in the generally vain hope that I might remember to water it. I know cacti aren't so very fond of lots of water but even in the desert they might expect a nice refreshing rainstorm every now and again.

And yet despite living in conditions of almost total neglect, by some miracle it has just provided me with some beautiful buds.