Orchids

This is the orchid I have in my office. It's quite an accomplishment really. I took one of our expired orchids, diligently watered weekly for six months and kapow one day there was new growth. It then proceeded to grow at an alarming rate and one day started blossoming. The blossoms have lasted a good six months but it's on its last legs. Inspired by my results several of my coworkers have also persuaded orchids to bloom a second time. So our office is full of orchids in different stages of development. Today I went to the farmer's market to replenish the orchids for the front desk. My supplier at the farmer's market didn't have any large Phalaenopsis which is what I usually get so I settled for a smaller phalenopsis with many buds and a Dendrobium both in white. I shouldn't have gotten white because it's the color of death in some cultures but I always seem to forget this while I'm standing in front of the pretty flowers. The local supply of orchids has been slimmer recently, my Sunday guy hasn't been at that market for the past few weeks. And the Friday guy, well he just didn't have exactly the goods I was looking for. The flowers don't last as long in the office in the summer because of the heat on weekends so I'll have an opportunity to replace them soon. One of the things I love about orchids is at first glance it's a white flower but when you look closer there are many tints of yellow, pink and specks of deep red. As for the one in my office unfortunately the leaves are yellowing and I'm afraid it's headed for the trash heap. An undignified end to something that's brightened so many of my days.