Festive Cactus

Bill's holiday saguaro.  I told him when I saw him earlier in the month to let me know when he was going to put the lights on the cactus, which seems to be about as tall as our houses.  That same day, his wife Barb came over and told me he was putting the lights on.  I walked through my front gate to see him walking in circles around the lower part.  He was putting the finishing touches on it.

I wanted to finally see how he got the lights on the top!  For years that sneaky next-door neighbor of mine got them up without me seeing him.  This time when I asked he still gave me that wicked smile but Barb gave away the secret.  He simply leans the tall ladder against the cactus and climbs it!  I was amazed.  It's a testament to how strong those things really are (you don't think of them being like trees) but also how crazy one has to be to be wrapping something around a cactus twelve or fifteen feet above the ground.

I certainly appreciate the effort, though.  It's a heartwarming feeling to drive home during the Christmas season as I turn onto my road and see this festive saguaro all lit up. The bright, colorful beacon leads me right to my driveway (just to the right is the edge of my house).

PS I have a saguaro in my front yard, too.  You can't quite see it.  It's hidden behind Bill's big, lit up prickly pear.  It's about 16" tall .(C'mon, don't laugh.) It will take about 30 years to get as big as his. I'll be dead in five.