@ginger As for maintenance, mulch is your friend! I would not be able to tend my beds without it - 4" deep over everything, it conserves moisture, keeps the weeds down, and as it breaks down it feeds the soil.
As for being a Master Gardener, it is not a title one adopts, it is conferred through participation in education and volunteer service through a land grant university. I work in two states - Minnesota & Texas - so vastly different!
And wow, is this a different experience with Covid-19 - instead of being out in the community, doing plant sales and educational booths, we are trying to do what we can remotely as our governor and board of regents have prohibited in person contact until July.
Today I have a Zoom meeting to figure out how to schedule Zoom "Ask a Master Gardener Booth" sessions for the Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons we typically spend doing this in garden centers and farmers markets. The local garden centers have agreed to put up posters for us if we do it. And many of us will be doing weekly "This week in my garden" educational spots for our county Master Gardener Facebook account. I will be showing planting and tending my straw bale vegetable row along the garage, among other topics.
As far as losing focus, I do it too. It works really well for me to have a dedicated time to walk the yard each day, and make a mental plan. If the weather is good, I do it first thing in the morning, before or after my walk, with a cup of coffee in hand. And now, being "locked in" at home, I have set a plan for 2 hours after lunch in the garden each day - this will be Day 4, hope I can make it a habit.
Happy Gardening
Sue
PS - where are you located? I think you may be able to overwinter the orchid cactus outdoors with protection.