u/wildlife07

I bought this at Lowe’s with two other columns in the same pot under the plan to keep them inside during the winter. In the fall, two of the columns began to rot and I decided to just toss them all in the outdoor waste pile. When I was cleaning up in the spring, this one was still sitting there, bare root on top of the ground, perfectly fine. We got down to 9° Fahrenheit that winter. Since it survived, I potted it back up and it’s handled temps down to single digits each year. It has always been under overhangs during the winter to prevent it from being both wet and cold, but still, it’s surprised me with its hardiness.

There are quite a few layers here, but I’ll provide a tiny bit of context. My mom, dad, and sister have been really present lately. They regularly ask why my partner can’t make it to family events (he’s usually working), bought him a nice christmas present, they talk about how much they love him, etc. Things had improved so much, that I even included it in a very healing intro to a chapter for a book I’m a part of that’s already with the publisher. Additionally that “conversation” my dad mentioned (which happened 7 years ago now) included my mom crying about how sad she was that I didn’t feel comfortable coming out to them first (I told my aunt, her sister, and uncle first because I knew they’d be overwhelmingly supportive and help me navigate the family crap). Anyway, I got engaged and mistakenly had allowed myself to hope that they would be excited. Instead, they made it about themselves, their “beliefs,” and ruined some of the joy surrounding it. I’ve blocked them all to try and focus on the joy of the engagement rather than have endless discussions with them about how hurtful this all is. I’m sure they see me as “the villain” because I blocked them and expressed disappointment when they’re “just sharing their beliefs” (that no one asked for), and I’m sure my mom and dad will be demanding an apology. 🤷‍♂️ They do all express their “love” but part of that is because they don’t want to be cut off. They want the benefits of having me in their life without really acknowledging that I’m gay or that I had no choice in my sexual orientation.

In positive news, my Aunt and Uncle, an aunt on my dad’s side, and my grandmother (my mom’s mom) have been supportive and loving.

Caught several of these guys the past few nights. It’s hard not to love those big ears. They also have a pretty chill disposition compared to most species after being caught in our nets. (Handled under the proper permits and with all relevant vaccinations, protocols, etc.)