Change of season as the orchids are in blooms.

During last weekend as I was walking around the garden, purple flowers caught my attention. I was so glad to see those orchids blooming on the tree trunks. This year they started blossoming quite early which means the weather would be quite cold. The northeasterly wind has started to blow in our direction by the river a few days ago. Things are going to be different this year. The cool wind has arrived four weeks too early. That’s probably why these purple orchids have started to display their flowers.

These orchids started from a small pot I bought from the flea market almost ten years ago. They just grew very fast; the clay pot was broken as they became very dense and expansive. So, I spread them around the garden by attaching them on tree trunks. The land spirits and tree spirits were looking after these orchids on my behalf. Fortunately, they were very tough and independent of our attention. They just thrive on their own.

However, I used to talk to my orchids. I had to explain to them why I couldn’t be looking after them everyday. I thought of them as my friends and thanked them for being very tough and independent. In a way they have become a symbol of a chapter of my life. The elderly vendor near my old work place sold them to me at a very good price. These orchids reminded me of those good old days long before the lockdown.

The weekend flea market was always lively full of people looking for a bargain. The two elderly ladies who sold pot plants and cut flowers became my good friends. Nowadays, the flea market was no more; I had nowhere to buy cheap pot plants, orchids and flowers in town any more. I did wonder how they were doing and whether they survived the long lockdown. There’s no way I could get in touch with them. I should have bought all the cheap orchids on offer that day. I couldn’t have carried all the plants and orchids to my car which was parked quite a distance away from the market. I bet they would be pleased to see the transformation of a small pot of orchids.

These orchids came from very nice and gentle vendors that’s why they always look very happy. They seem to be smiling at me whenever I approached them with delight. They taught me to be patient and appreciate nature in slow motion. These orchids flower only in winter months; the rest of the year they look quite plain and unexciting. They made me like orchids and I started to buy orchids whenever I could find a nice vendor. I believe that nice people have good vibes which make plants or orchids very healthy and happy.

Some orchids just did appeared from tree trunks; those were bought from strange vendor who was rather aloof and cold so these orchids didn’t do very well. I was sorry I didn’t think of giving more moral support to these orchids during their transition phase. Next time I would know what to do for my new orchids. I should find the time to check all the orchids on tree trunks as we had windy rain storm several days ago. I saw some were dangling their arms around the trees. Perhaps my gardener’ son could give me some of the wild orchids in his garden! We need some nice wild orchids from the forests.

Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.

Stay strong and cheerful.