This was the first year that I’ve lived in Phoenix that all the saguaros blossomed with white crowns. So this is the first year I’ve seen so many white blossoms all turn into juicy red fruit. An animal must have eaten some of this one!
Check out the bird sitting on the top. Birds seem to love saguaros.
Here’s a good article about the harvesting of the saguaro fruit.
A couple of the cacti in our yard, thanks to the gardener.
One of the most inspiring people in my life has been a gorilla–namely, Koko, lover of cats and poet of sign language. Sadly, she died last week at age 46.
This image by a fan of Koko was shared on Koko’s Facebook page with a request to share it, so here it is. RIP dear Koko. I just don’t understand how little her death has been on the news. The people whose lives we celebrate on national television when they die have not done as much for our future and our planet as Koko has done.
#amwriting #writerlife #writerslife I had two beautiful acceptances this week. One publication coming out in a day or so . . . .
HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Congrats on your acceptances! There has been quite a bit of news about Koko in my area. Love your cactus. We only have itty bitty ones that you must keep indoors in this area.
Thanks, Kate! So strange that there has been so little here. I remember those little indoor cacti days from Michigan!
It is surprising about Koko’s death. First I heard of it.
That is exactly what I mean! So little news. I hope SHE is on the cover of Time . . . .
Time to set up an awareness campaign. Tweet or Instagram?
I like platforms that allow retweets or sharing. I think you need an app for Instagram to do that on there.
I don’t do either. Let’s hope your post generates interest. I’m thinking NPR or National Geographic will have a news post.
I would think so!!!
Just spent some time browsing videos about Koko. She met quite a few celebrities including Robin Williams. They had a tickling match—what a memorable visit.
Yes, so so sweet!
This morning on the news, I actually heard a lengthy story about Koko. It was 3:30 a.m., so you probably missed it. 🙂 What an amazing creature. Congratulations on your acceptances!
Koko was phenomenal. I thought they would lower the flag to half-mast when she died instead of so much silence. Thanks, Jill!
Amazing cacti
Yes! Thanks, Derrick. Hope you’re well . . .
Getting there slowly, thanks very much, Luanne
I’m glad to here the “getting there” part!
🙂
Such different vegetation from my neck of the woods. Very pretty. And yes, quite sad about Koko.
Same here too. Ditto on your comment, Carrie.
Anneli
No cacti by you, Anneli? 🤣🤣🤣
Not on the coast but in the interior of the province, yes, some (small ones).
Oh wow!
Sooo sad. I am still not used to the idea that she’s gone.
Luanne: Sad about Coco, beautiful cacti, congrats on good publishing news!
Elaine, who loves your photos and hearing from you on Mondays (I’ve been teaching a memoir writing class at the Botanical Garden here in Santa Fe, which has cut into my blogging time).
What a fun course! It sounds wonderful. You should post about how you teach that course!
Fabulous cacti Luanne. I hadn’t heard about Koko’s death. Congratulations on your acceptances, look forward to learning more…
Thank you, Andrea! I feel so sad about Koko. I still don’t believe that she is gone.
Fantastic cacti 😍
Koko’s was reported on all the main newspapers and online journals here in Italy: it was a very sad news😞
The most important Italian newspaper published in its front page a Koko’s photos with the actor Robin William!
Great shots 😀
Ciao
Sid
Italy covered her death properly. We are “out to lunch” on this one. Thank you so much, Sid. Have a lovely week!
Have never tried the saguaro fruit. Sad about Koko. Congratulations to you on the acceptances.
Thank you, John. I actually have not tried it either though I love cactus jelly!
🙂
Congrats on your acceptances! I’m in a bit of a writing funk, this too shall pass, though. I was so sad to hear of Koko’s passing. I don’t watch the news but I did hear about it on NPR. The cactus are so beautiful. The vivid, rich, glorious blooms seem to almost surprise me coming from such a tough-looking plant. But, I’m sure that’s because I am not used to seeing them. I do grow an Opuntia that has the most wonderful yellow flowers. Tell The Gardener bravo for the cactus in the garden! I look forward to reading what you are writing. I keep Kin Types and Doll God by my reading chair. I’m still enjoying both.
So happy you are enjoying the books, Cheryl! Cactus blossoms are vivid and typically do not last long. I am always taking the gardener’s talents for granted. We wouldn’t have so many beauties without him. I’m sorry about your funk. I hope it passes soon. Soon away, not into the emptiness….
Thank you! I’m actually writing up a storm today. Funny how that works… 🙂
I knew nothing about saguaro fruit nor Koko’s passing. So appreciate this post on both counts. The lack of news doesn’t surprise me though, the world seems only to want the dire and the fearful. Koko was a pretty amazing representative of her species – living proof of who any of us can be when given acceptance, love and a bit of education!
I’m sorry I had to deliver the bad news about Koko. I am trying to wrap my head around her loss, but it’s so difficult. She was an amazing female. I always hoped I might meet her one day.
Koko left quite a legacy for us to learn from I think. I’m sorry too that you missed out on meeting her.
She did. Such a loss to the planet. I am glad we had her though.
Having mastered the zinnia, I graduated to the Saguaro’s shiny black seed, only to learn, after years of unerring patience, that the ‘giant’ cactus befits its name in the fullness of time and in harsh desert conditions (lush and tropical sadly at odds with those conditions): mine grew at the breakneck rate of one centimeter per year and was circummured and later chocked out by ambitious weeds and native grass.
I don’t think they grow any place except the Sonoran desert. There is an invisible boundary line, almost like a mountain “tree line.”
Beautiful photos, Luanne. Your photos have that “poet’s eye.” So sad about Koko.
I was saddened to hear about Koko’s death, Luanne. She was such an amazing creature.
I love your cactus photos,especially the ones the Gardener has grown. We have a few cactus plants that spend the summer in the greenhouse and the winter in the conservatory. They are mere specks compared to those enormous saguaros! I was interested in the link about the saguaro harvest. A sign of the times that the pickers are no longer allowed to taste the fruit!
I have not tasted the fruit either though I have eaten foods made with other cacti. Koko was such an inspiration for me. I can’t fully accept that she is gone.
<3 <3
Getting here late because we’ve been busy for a few days. I had heard/seen a few stories about Koko’s death–NPR, maybe BBC, an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer–but they may all have been after you posted this.
Those tall cacti are amazing.
Congratulations on your acceptances.
Thank you, Merril. Makes me mad that they haven’t done more for Koko!
Amazing cacti pix! So exotic to this Canadian. Are the fruit edible by humans, not only birds? Yes, I read about Koko’s death on various social media. Much more notice there than in the regular press, for some reason. Sad… but at least she had a fairly good long life…
1. I love the cacti! Even here in Michigan, prickly pear cacti are in bloom. The seguaros are so majestic and inspiring. I’m glad they are fruiting.
2. Sad about Koko. She had a good, gentle heart.
3. Congratulation on your upcoming publications. You deserve them and many more.
I never knew a world without Koko. :/
Lovely cacti 🙂
Congratulations on your new printed works!
Thank you. Hard to think of going on without Koko!
I mourned KoKo’s passing too. I really thought she had been in the world longer than that (and, of course, immediately researched the life span of a gorilla.) Looking forward to news on the upcoming publications.
Thanks, Ellen. So happy to see how much writing you have accomplished somewhat recently! And can’t wait to read your new novel. Still can’t get over Koko . . . .
great post, Luanne…that is the first I’ve heard of Koko, to all of our shame.
Your photography was mind blowing on this one – truly. You wowed me.
Oh, those lovely and graceful (I think) saguaros! The bright fruit is so stunning against the green of the cactus flesh. Like a secret! Thanks, Luanne!
I agree! They are majestic!
Something about them. Timeless, maybe? 🙂