What started out as an attempt to show my friends that lean left of center on environmental issues that I too had a soft spot for the trees and vegetation that is around us, turned into a small medical emergency. For far too long I have been silent when it comes to saving the planet. Today, marked my first attempt to share the love with the vegetation that surrounds us. But today, it didn’t love me back. Nature had left its mark.
I walked up to the largest saguaro that I could find, at least that wasn’t encircled with signs that read No Trespassing. I gave it a hug, instantly, a sense of purpose overcame me. It was as if this giant cactus was smiling, or maybe laughing, at me. Cacti need love too. It was a euphoric experience. I was on to the next.
But not everything that glistens is beautiful. I just wanted to get a picture, one to share with my friends. I could almost hear it calling my name, “Come here, I don’t bite”. I just couldn’t resist, just a picture that’s all I wanted. Lisa was egging me on, “Get closer, so I can get it in the picture.” With her iPhone in hand, she instructed me to crouch down next to it, within an instant it was over. Now digitized, my encounter with a cactus a.k.a., The Dirty Blonde of the Desert, is forever a part of my story.
I know why they 
call it a Teddybear, soft colors that looked so inviting. I swear that I never touched it, but the spines of the Teddybear Cholla attached themselves to my sweater. I was in shock. I just wanted to show it some love, clearly this cactus had no love to share. Once attached, I couldn’t get it to let go. I tried to shake it off, but it jumped to my wrist, then on to my forefinger, finally lodging itself in just above the knuckle. Barbed spines embedded in my fingers, all the while, I hear a maniacal laugh…a maniacal laugh…#cactilivesmatter.
Love from Taliesin West
One of Frank Lloyd Writes Architectural Marvels