Young people are in trouble. Just by going to an assisted living community, she is already being mocked by her peers. If she tries to share a story with anyone that does not highlight how boring and dumb it was to go, it will not go unpunished.

"Like, I went to this place for old people, and the people there were like, so old."
leads to
"You can still be in our group of friends."

"I went to an assisted living community and the people there were so interesting and told great stories."
leads to
"You shall be cast out, so you might as well go back next week."

But I bet she didn't want to be friends with people like that anyway. But the overwhelming sense I get is that 95% of young people are completely apathetic to everything. I used to think they were self-centered, but these days, they're even apathetic to themselves. But those 5%... they give us hope. False hope, but hope nonetheless. We hope, maybe they all have this spirit, and it's just hiding.

Maybe they do.

So how do you get a Christmas Cactus to bloom?  I have one, and it looked great for a couple of weeks, now it is just a green plant.

But those 5%... they give us hope. False hope, but hope nonetheless. We hope, maybe they all have this spirit, and it's just hiding. Maybe they do.

the youth I've met here in Pine City have given me hope for their futures.   I'm quite proud of those I've met that work in the local stores,  that do volunteer work,  and that are supporting programs,  with their efforts,  that help the disadvantaged,  disabled,  and DD students. 

 I do agree with you that the sense one gets is that they're apathetic, ( when referring to the masses of them)  I'm not sure what that's all about....or why it is.   I think it's normal most of them are self-absorbed,  because that goes with their age.

I always have hope.   

Reply By: Dr GuyPosted: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 So how do you get a Christmas Cactus to bloom? I have one, and it looked great for a couple of weeks, now it is just a green plant

Well,  mine is "just a green plant" right now too

I read that they need to be kept moist,  sitting on a tray, with pebbles,  and water on the pebbles is good.They need darkness,  or cool temps, ( such as 50 degrees) for about 6 weeks to come into bloom.  I'll try to provide a link or two here so you can read up on it and also the following paragraphs should help

To promote blooms, Lerner suggests placing Christmas cacti in locations ranging between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit beginning in November. In addition, in order to bloom, they need several hours per day of complete darkness beginning around the middle of October. "Christmas Cactus" advises while the buds are developing, the Christmas cactus should be placed in a location that receives filtered light. At this point, it should not be moved. "Christmas Cactus" says moving the plant would encourage blooms that are not facing the light to turn. This could weaken the buds and cause them to drop off.

After blooming, Lerner recommends pruning your Christmas cactus. She says to remove a few sections either by pinching or by cutting them off with a well-sharpened knife. Doing so will promote branching and new growth.

Proper watering is important to the successful growth of the Christmas cactus. "Care of Cactus in the Home" says to encourage buds to form, less water should be given in late spring. After the Christmas cactus has formed blooms, it will require regular watering. Lerner says even though the Christmas cactus is considered a succulent plant, it does not tolerate drought conditions very well. The best way to decide if the plant needs water is by feeling the soil.

According to the book "Cacti & Succulents for Modern Living", published in 1976 by Merchants Publishing Company, the Christmas cactus should be fertilized once a month after blooming up until autumn. Do not apply fertilizer during autumn and winter months. "Christmas Cactus" suggests using a fertilizer with a high potassium content. Be sure to follow label directions carefully for proper application.

Christmas cacti can survive and continue producing spectacular blooms for many years. They often outlive the caretaker. A large, mature Christmas cactus will develop what appears to be bark, and is capable of producing hundreds of blooms. The extra care required by the Christmas cactus is well worth the effort. The brilliant flowers it produces is a wondrous gift to behold each holiday season.

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1554.htm

http://oror.essortment.com/howtotakecar_rhtu.htm

Good luck Doc!  I'll need it too

They need darkness, or cool temps, ( such as 50 degrees) for about 6 weeks to come into bloom.

I guess I better take it out of the window!

I guess I better take it out of the window!

My living room faces the north,  so mine doesn't get direct sunlight,  I think filtered light though is good,  like through a window shade.  The sites ( from the links) are real helpful.