SAGUARO FLOWER

When Goldie Hawn made Cactus Flower, I had no idea what those two words meant. A dichotomy? Well, had I known that word then, that's what I would have thought.

But cactus flowers are beautiful. This saguaro, the cactus with arms that only grows in Southern Arizona, parts of California and Mexico, sports some of the most beautiful flowers starting about May 1. This saguaro pictured displays a veritable bevy. Our saguaro, an eight footer with no arms, had one last year, none this year. But the little bud from where it bloomed is still attached though shriveled and black now. The cactus is quite healthy, and I've observed a lot that didn't bloom this season.

A friend of ours who Winters in Florida thinks the desert desolate. She can't understand our attraction to the Southwest. Actually, I hope there are several others who believe the same, because we're getting inundated with people. When we first moved here 7 years ago, there were not that many from Illinois. Now, there are many. We also run into a lot of East Coasters who retire here rather than their traditional spot in Florida.

So if you move or visit the great Southwest, be prepared to explain that we don't have sand dunes, we do have green plants, and we do have beautiful cactus flowers. But unless they're real close friends or family, tell them you like Florida better.