Over the weekend, I enjoyed the cooler weather here in Phoenix, with temperatures reaching into the high 80s. It was truly delightful. I’m looking forward to relocating some of my cacti that couldn’t handle the scorching summer heat outside again. My monkey tails are growing like a weed, and I believe they’ll thrive in the direct winter sun much more than they will where they currently are during the winter months. The same goes for my golden rat tail and rat tail cacti.

This week, I’ll need to get out my balcony planters from the dusty box and slowly acclimate the cacti outdoors again. I definitely don’t want to repeat the mistake of scorching my monkey tails again! Additionally, I plan to acquire some flowering plants to attract hummingbirds and provide them with a sugar water feeder. Seeing these beautiful birds during my time in Michigan reminded me of how much I miss having bird interactions, even if they’re just glimpses through the window.

I must admit that I haven’t been as attentive to my plants in the past month or so. Between being preoccupied with the kitten (who is thriving in her new home, by the way) and learning the ropes of paragliding, which occupies my evenings right after work, my plant care routine has taken a back seat. Nonetheless, I still check in on them and give them water when I remember to do so. These moments of tending to them slow me down and ground me in the present.

I’m eagerly anticipating the next quarter and all the experiences it will bring.