Monday, July 2, 2007

Name My New Cactus...

Last week I decided it was high time I did something about a half dead, very conspicuous bougainvillea plant in the front of the house. It's dry leafless branches were still clinging to the iron trellis, with nary a red flower in sight. I made up my mind that I would replace it with a cactus, and had no use for the trellis I once cherished. I promptly posted the trellis on craigslist under the "free" section, and within an hour someone e-mailed me and wanted to come over to pick it up. I was delighted. So away went the old trellis and off I went in search of the perfect cactus.

I went to a nursery to look for "the cactus". As I walked around the nursery looking at all the lush green plants, I felt my body relax, and my mind wandered a bit. I love being around plants.

But this shopping mission was for a cactus, so we found my way to the cactus clutch...and oh so many cactus-es (or cacti, depending on your preference).
I was looking for something tall and thin (keep your smart remarks to yourself), but I couldn't help but stop and admire the Barrel cactus (below left) and Prickly Pear cactus (below right).
I then stumbled on a patch of Sago Palms (which aren't really in the palm family at all) but look so leafy and green. We have several Sagos in our yard. There was also a fun area of plants with a bubbling fountain that was so tranquil, I had to stop and gaze into the surface of the water to reflect (pardon the pun).

Eventualy we found "the cactus", although shorter than I had wanted, it was the right variety. So into the Jeep he went, (below left) resting in the comfort of air conditioning for the journey to its new home (below right).

I'm hoping that with our 115 degree summer weather he will grow quickly (for a cactus). So here is where you come in. I'd like to name this cactus (yes I am serious, and no I'm not crazy). He is right next to the front gate, which opens into the front courtyard. It's only right that we name it!
So go ahead, leave a comment with your suggestion for a name. There is no charge to leave comments, so knock yourself out!
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18 comments:

  1. Ann (bunnygirl)July 1, 2007 at 11:45 PM

    Hm... Spike?

    Maybe I'll have a more original idea in the morning. Oh, wait. It is morning here. Well, a little later in the morning, perhaps.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JodiJuly 2, 2007 at 5:16 AM

    Let's see....

    "Fuzzy"? "Porky"? (as in porcupine) "Humpy"?

    Sorry, the creative juices just aren't flowing at this hour of the morning...
    I will try harder later....

    J.

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  3. AnonymousJuly 2, 2007 at 7:05 AM

    What about "Cactus Jack?"

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  4. K-AJuly 2, 2007 at 7:48 AM

    It's name is Nigel. Nigel will greet you and everyone that comes to visit you.

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  5. TeaJuly 2, 2007 at 7:48 AM

    Well, it`s definately a "he" ....not to imaginative this morning....Charles....Yosammitty Sam...."hey Yo, how`s it going?"
    ....Robert...he he sorry...told ya :)

    tea
    xo

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  6. UnknownJuly 2, 2007 at 10:51 AM

    Hi PSS! Thanks for dropping by Mustang 'n' Cowboys...the puppies almost have their eyes open. I'm hoping that they wait until the 4th of July!!!

    I like "Cactus Jack",too!!!

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  7. CurtisJuly 2, 2007 at 4:12 PM

    How about "Prickles"?

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  8. AnonymousJuly 2, 2007 at 8:29 PM

    I think "Chuck" sounds right to me

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  9. Sugar SmacksJuly 2, 2007 at 9:31 PM

    How about "Gate-y". As in gatekeeper. Kinda like "Tongue-y," the tongue in the movie Kung Pow. I like it when things are named what they actually are. Why, I don't know.

    Or just Roland. Roland is good.

    Thanks for visiting my blog, a loong time ago, before my unwanted hiatus. I like it here and shall return for some advice from Sidney Wang

    SS

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  10. Tom HauckJuly 3, 2007 at 11:18 AM

    Gunthar!

    Named after the legendary barrel cactus of Ocotillo. Gunthar lived a short and solitary life. It is all the more important that he be memorialized.

    Gunthar will always be in our hearts and prayers.

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  11. Tom HauckJuly 3, 2007 at 11:21 AM

    Gunthar!

    Named after the legendary barrel cactus of Ocotillo. His short and solitary life must be memorialized!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rose GhostJuly 3, 2007 at 11:42 AM

    Arnold. I think its a funny name... Or something ironic like 'Fluffy' or 'Cuddles'

    :-)

    Hey, thanks for visiting my blog a couple of weeks back. Muchly appreciated. And I'm now back.

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  13. curmudgeonJuly 3, 2007 at 2:06 PM

    I think "Sharpton" is appropriate. You know, pricks and all.

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  14. GregJuly 3, 2007 at 4:01 PM

    Shoot...bunnygirl beat me to it!! So how about Gertrude?

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  15. jillieJuly 3, 2007 at 5:41 PM

    He looks like a Morris to me....

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  16. JodiJuly 4, 2007 at 4:43 PM

    Okay, Rick...what IS the cactus's name?

    J.

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  17. Rick RockhillJuly 4, 2007 at 4:57 PM

    I think I'll go with what Bunnygirl suggested, "Spike". I'll have a little naming ceremony this weekend!

    THANKS everyone for your ideas!

    Rick

    ReplyDelete
  18. Canadian flakeJuly 9, 2007 at 8:48 PM

    Sorry I am so late catching up on your blog. Thanks for sharing the pics of "spike". I think I would have suggested Cletus the cactus...is sorta catchy...lmao.

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Thank you kindly.