It's a nice day out today, so I've brought my computer outside for a bit. I'm sitting in "The Magical Forest." That's what we call our second-story apartment balcony, because half the space is occupied by trees.

See, Rufus likes to grow things. He's got citrus fruits going in every variety. Never mind that neither of us particularly like kumquats — that's not the point. What's important to him is the fact that the plant that produces them is thriving.

It's one of about eight potted trees....

on a balcony...

in a city...

in the desert.

Then there are all the little pots with sprouts from pits of store-bought produce. Eat a piece of fruit in this house, and Rufus will want the seeds to grow.

Nurturing plants is quite a commitment in a place that's naturally brown. But Rufus would sooner cut off his nose than his green thumb. It's just a part of who he is. So he persists despite the surroundings.

Every other day for the two plus years he's cared for "The Magical Forest," he's toted gallon jugs of water from the bathtub to the balcony. These efforts have been rewarded. With two homemade lemons. 

They were delicious, I tell you. We squeezed them over scallops for a special celebratory meal.

His first summer here, he tried his luck with tomatoes. He watered and cared for that plant like it was a family member. Success! Finally — the heat-stunned baby bore fruit. Pictured is his Mojave Crop.

I really appreciate that about Rufus and find lessons and inspiration in his resolve. He reminds me that just because a set of circumstances requires more work, there's no reason to give up — Even against a backdrop of brown, a green thumb can find a way to do what he loves.