On January 20, Lois was walking downtown past the Alameda Hidalgo (a huge central park) when she noticed that the gardeners had piled up the Poinsettias ("Nochebuenas") from all over the park in a big mound ready to be hauled off to the compost dump. They had replaced these seasonal plants with others ready to be more attractive in the post-Christmas season. Lois had been on the lookout for Nochebuenas to add some life to our apartment. Indeed, she had already received a donation from a florist of a single Nochebuena plant (past its prime, so judged unworthy of any price). But here were hundreds if not thousands of Nochebuenas just crying to be saved from the dump. So Lois recruited me to join her in rehab efforts. We found plenty of plastic pots piled up along with the plants - and even a couple of discarded plastic bags to help in the carrying. After we carefully selected and potted and packed off 4 of the Nochebuena plants, as we exited the park, we were scolded by a woman waiting for a bus -- but when Lois explained to her that the plants had been discarded and replaced, the woman expressed frustration that she didn't have plastic bags and time to rescue some herself. We got them home safely and with Lois's loving care, they are thriving ... Christmas or not.

• Tempting Nochebuenas piled in Alameda Tempting Nochebuenas piled in Alameda
• Rescued and happy Rescued and happy
• Rescuer enjoying other flowers in Museo Restauracion de la Republica Rescuer enjoying other flowers in Museo Restauracion de la Republica
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