THE LITTLE THINGS - ORCHID SOCIETY

          I went to the April Orchid Society of Western PA meeting.  On the way to the meeting I nearly crashed my Vibe while checking out a hotty in a Jeep passing me on Washington Blvd..  There was a rainbow ribbon on the back window.  The meeting was really nice.  They start off with the typical officers reports.  As 2nd vice president there is nothing to say.  I am now THE 2nd vice pres., as opposed to being the co-2nd vice president.  Semantics.  I was asked to be a team leader at Phipps Conservatory.  Of course I accepted.

        This is followed by show and tell.  A lot of really nice plants come into the meetings.  There were two speakers today.  One spoke on miniature orchids, the other on a trip to Florida which included orchids and insectivorous plants.  Very nice speakers.

          I came home with my show and tell plants in tow.  As I drove I realize how much the society means to me.  They are a misfit bunch of crazies, but I have known most of them for over 25 years.  ROFL, I fit right in.  While I don't hang out with any of them they are friends.   The July OSWP Picnic will be here again and I look forward to showing off my yard, socializing, and just providing a place for my friends to spend a summer day.

          This is just a garden club.  Some try to make it out to be posh and elitist, but it is just an eclectic group interested in growing orchids.  Orchid for a century or two were considered exotic and rare.  Now they are a dime a dozen and can be purchased at any "big box" store.  Time have changed but the group is still interested in growing these plants.  Many have come and gone, but the core group is still there with many newer core members.  With the outreach to Phipps opportunities to teach there are also opening up.  I taught 2 "classes" in February.

          Recently a group of younger people joined.  By younger I mean my age.  Several are very interested and very active.  Linda chaired the show in March, which is a huge job.  Of course we will co-chair the show next year.  There is potential for some good friendships with this newer group.
          I start back to work tomorrow at 8am.   Woooooooo hooooooooo!!!  I work sales at a garden center / plant nursery.  I really like it.  The people for which I work and with which I work are pretty amazing people.  For the most part the customers are great as well.  This is pretty much what I would love to do.  Start my own nursery.  Knock on wood, the orchids will once again become at least somewhat profitable.

THE LITTLE THINGS - FIRST TRILLIUM OF 2011

         I walked into the garden today and found the first Trillium of spring open.  Such a little thing that just makes my day.  Being a plant geek I take things to extremes sometimes.  Purchasing 200+ Trillium in the Fall and finally planting them in January or February counts as a bit neurotic.  Nothing beats watching a new plant emerge, unfold, and then flower for the first time.  Well almost nothing.

          These plants were purchased as Trillium sessile.  A great species.  But as it emerged, unfolded, and began to open I realize that they may not be Trillium sessile, but Trillium maculatum.  To anyone but an obsessed collector these species are virtually identical.  But being obsessed, with a library of articles to prove it,  I am excited.  Furthermore, to most, this is hardly a showy species.  The plant is about 5-8" tall with a flower that doesn't even open fully.  The flower is a maroon-meat color.  The leaves however are light green with darker green mottling.  All in all this is one of the little things I just live for.

NEGATIVE MOOD

        The last two days or so I have been in a pretty negative mood. Just looking at my life and pissed at the universe for the hand I've been dealt.  Wondering why I've had so many really bad experiences.  If it's Karma then I must have been a real bastard in my past lives.  So much of what is holding me back are things I had no control over.  Things I had forced or inflicted on me.

          I feel angry when people tell me "It's in the past, get over it!!!"  I'm angry at them for seeming so heartless. I am angry with myself for not being able to just get over it.  I am very compassionate.  Well at least when I know the whole story behind someone.  I am very understanding when someone is hurting, angry, confused, etc.. 

          I know in my head that I am a pretty amazing guy.  But, I just don't feel it.  I feel that I should be in a better place and able to just shrug off the past.  The past doesn't haunt me, like flashbacks or anything like that.  I just feel a total sense of defeat and apathy anymore.  I've pretty much felt like this most of my life.

        This is what I call the poor me syndrome.  Just the feeling of being beaten down by the world>  The feeling of "this just isn't fair".  The feeling of why me.  The feeling of why do I go on.  I know we all go through periods like this.  It will pass. But, I guess I question how do you really get over it and move on.  I guess the closest thing I can come to to describe it is paralysis.  All encompassing feeling of numb.

         I usually medicate by working in the yard, working with the orchids, putzing on the computer, etc.  Anything to just get me out of my own head.  This is why I spend so much money on plants.  When I get a new plant I get the rush of owning something beautiful.  Owning something that connects me to nature.  Plus it is (for the most part) not a one time rush.  I get a similar though smaller rush when the plant flowers the second, third, fourth time. 

          So, I find myself right now, in this mood, medicating by shopping online for orchids, or Trillium, or Daylily, etc..  Pretty much frivolous purchases that I legitimize by using in my breeding programs, or that I plan to sell later.  A lot of people buy clothes, cars, jewelry, etc.  My passion is plants.  So, Orchids seem to be an attempt by me to balance out the baggage.

JUST A GREAT VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulb3tZU8vsk&feature=share