The Injury. In March of 2003 the whole Sattler family took a roadtrippin' vacation to Mulege, Mexico. On one of our rest stops, I spotted a barrel cactus so round and happy. Feeling inclined to give it a home, I asked my Dad to help me dig it up, place it in a bucket and hide the contraband in a safe place for our return drive over the border.
Through the years my cactus has stayed the same in size, it's spines deepened into a red color and it's presence providing me memories of that last family trip. Little did I know how it might be exacting it's revenge...
On December 27th, I was standing too close to said cactus while putting a sweater over my head. My left hand came down sharply on top of the cactus shoving stinging spines into the tips of my fingers. I removed all the spines save one. Over the last few weeks my finger has continued to fester until this morning when I finally coaxed the lone spine out of it's resting place. Instant relief.
This compels me to write a letter...
Spine Specimen.
On December 27th, I was standing too close to said cactus while putting a sweater over my head. My left hand came down sharply on top of the cactus shoving stinging spines into the tips of my fingers. I removed all the spines save one. Over the last few weeks my finger has continued to fester until this morning when I finally coaxed the lone spine out of it's resting place. Instant relief.
This compels me to write a letter...
Dear Aggravated Barrel Cactus,
Your message came through loud and clear.
I now realize that besides the agricultural reasons why cactus plants should stay across the border, there is also a vengeful understanding amongst captive cacti species that surely the Mexican people and lawmakers understand. I didn't realize the laws of cactus removal and smuggling were in fact for my benefit. I promise you that if I ever go on another road trip to Mulege, I will stop at the Bouldering Rocks and return you to your original home.
That is...if you remain living until then, Bandito!
Very Sincerely,
Dusty
Your message came through loud and clear.
I now realize that besides the agricultural reasons why cactus plants should stay across the border, there is also a vengeful understanding amongst captive cacti species that surely the Mexican people and lawmakers understand. I didn't realize the laws of cactus removal and smuggling were in fact for my benefit. I promise you that if I ever go on another road trip to Mulege, I will stop at the Bouldering Rocks and return you to your original home.
That is...if you remain living until then, Bandito!
Very Sincerely,
Dusty
Spine Specimen. 
Too bad you can't exact your revenge by not watering it!
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