Christmas Flowers

For whatever reason, neither Giles nor I are particular fans of poinsettias. Probably in part because they are every-freaking-where come Christmastime. Which, in some sense is a real shame, considering the legend that birthed their world wide association with Christmas:

The poinsettia is indigenous to Central America and tropical Mexico. The story goes that a poor Mexican child on her way to church on Christmas Eve wept because she had no gift to place before the altar of the Virgin and Child. Through her tears, an angel suddenly appeared and instructed her to gather weeds from the roadside. When the child arrived at the altar with her wilted offering, starry crimson "blossoms" burst forth from every stem. 

Neat story. Yet another semi-religious tradition gone commercial. But I digress.

Like I was saying, Giles and I are not poinsettia fans. We do not buy them for ourselves, and when given the option in previous years, we have never brought one of the extra ones home from church.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten the many, many perks to working for a church. Lots of gifts given around Christmastime to those on staff. Including a poinsettia on my desk yesterday.

So I brought home a poinsettia for Giles for the first time ever. And she put it in the most logical place she could find.