My balcony is open and can only fill it with flowers once the weather warms up as winter is cold, so I kind of envy you for that, although, I don't think I'd like that hot weather all the time :)
Wow, a 14 years old cactus, that's really something. Lol, bite marks left by the hamster, this was funny. Must have been brave as usually animals are not friends with cacti and once they experience what cacti can do, they no longer are interested.