I try to care for this Christmas cactus and it stagnates.

I leave it alone in some half protected spot among the garden flotsam and it exudes its telltale pinkocities.

a friend gave me the original cutting in the late '80's as a parting gift when I moved to California. the plant has lived through more than 20 years and 11 residences, most years not flowering, often being only 5-8 green joints.

the petals don't have the crispest edges. and the plant is slightly affected by some white aphid/fungus/spider mite thing.

but it still lives - and even kinda flourishes with its vibrant fuchsia explosions and robust succulent scaffolding.

I'll take that.