CACTUS March 2024

This weekend, my Dad and I went shopping and wanted to pick up the medicine I had already run out of.  Unfortunately, Walgreens told us they couldn't give us the medicine because someone hacked all the insurance companies, and the system would be down for at least a week.  Fortunately, Dad made his famous dog face, I joined in, and the pharmacist allowed us to buy the medicine for cash.  Although it is said to be against the regulations, it is at least something.  We then improved our mood by watching our favorite Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia.  We spent Sunday repotting our indoor plants and cacti.  Dad has several cacti, and his hobby has had an exciting beginning.  Once, Mom bought Dad a more miniature but lovely cactus for his birthday.  Dad was excited about it and began to care for it with the love of a passionate grower.  He left nothing to chance.  He bought two books about cacti and a special fertilizer exclusively for cacti.  Regularly watered and sprayed the cactus to mimic Arizona morning dew.  He systematically turned the cactus so it did not grow to the side behind the sun.  He moved the cactus out in May of the spring.  First, for two weeks in the shade, then two weeks in semi-shade, and then in direct sun.  This is said to prevent cacti from getting sunburned after the winter.  Mom always watched his actions with a slightly satisfied smile.  After two years of taking care of the cactus, Dad was alarmed to find that not only did the cactus never bloom, but it didn't even grow a bit.  So he bought two more books and started watching YouTube channels about cacti.  After a few months, he came to a definite conclusion.  The cactus does not grow because it has a small pot, and the root system cannot develop.  So Dad bought a bigger pot and a potting mix specially designed for cacti.  So he started in rubber gloves with transplanting.  Dad carefully pulled the cactus out of the pot and froze.  He didn't even move for a long time, and his brain was having a hard time processing the new information.  He looked at my mom blankly and said, horrified, "That cactus is plastic!!"  Mom put on an even more puzzled face and said, "Really?"  If she were on camera, she'd get at least an Oscar nomination this Sunday, at least.  Unfortunately, in less than 3 seconds, she fell out of the role and burst out laughing until she broke her waist.  She laughed the whole time.  Dad's face changed expression from a clueless boy who lost his favorite toy to Erine, the Greek goddess of revenge.  Mom had tears streaming down her face and couldn't control her spontaneous laughter.  Just when it looked like he was calming down, there was another fit of laughter: round and round.  Finally, Dad couldn't take it anymore and went to the back bedroom, devastated.  Mom and I laughed for a few more minutes.  But then my mom told me she had to see my dad because she suspected he was confusedly searching Google for the phrase: EUTHANASIA NEAR ME on his phone. After all, he had just lost the meaning of life.  She said to me, "Wait a minute, you know I have to apologize to Dad."  It must be added that that day, Dad had to be deaf because Mom was apologizing to him in the back bedroom for almost an hour.