Everybody has quirks.  My mother is  no exception.  One unique thing about my mother is a penchant for shipping strange items across the country or bringing them in her luggage.  In the past she’s shipped or brought things like old stretcher bars, oreo cookies and broken lava lamps (no mom, you didn’t break it, it’s been broken for ten years).  This past visit was no different.  This time she brought two plants.  Her choice this time was interesting and if I were a woman I’m sure I would fit in the word “cute” to describe the idea.  Since we were going to Tucson she brought two “Christmas cactus.” (cacti?)  Earlier this week they started blooming, bringing some color to my drab kitchen.  I’m pretty sure this is the first time a plant has ever flowered inside my home that wasn’t bought that way.  Hopefully I will be able to keep it alive long enough for her to see it on her next visit.