‘Nother Neighbor

As I was pulling into my neighborhood yesterday, I noticed that the cactus plant in the yard of one of my neighbors was blooming. The flowers were so big, I just had to go see them up close. I parked in my driveway, and walked over to look at them.

I of course had to take pictures to share with you, dear reader:

The owner must’ve seen me out there, because right after I took the pictures, he came out of the house. His name is Dave. I asked him about the cactus and other plants in his yard. He said it was a cereus cactus, and that it was night-blooming, so those flowers had just opened up in the afternoon (it was overcast yesterday).

Dave told me he grew up in that house, and was there when the roads in the neighborhood were dirt roads, and the area was mostly strawberry fields. He took ownership of the house when his dad died. He also told me how cats and racoons come to his house and he feeds them, and nurses sick ones back to health. I remembered that I’ve frequently seen him sitting in front of his house with a cat sitting next to him.

How fun to meet another neighbor! I know so many more neighbors here than I did in Maui. Is that because these people are different, or because I am? It’s so fascinating!