Orchids in January

I'm struggling with the new year, this 2015. The world seems so frightening and out of control - and I don't know what to do. All that (overwhelming) advice on how I should improve myself, my life, my living space, the causes I should join, support or champion, what I should believe. It's exhausting. So this morning a midst the paperwork unfiled and laundry unfolded, walls unpainted, dishes undone, contribution checks unwritten or food not yet delivered to the food bank, and my third cup of coffee, I'm inspired by these tiny flowers. 

All year long I look forward to this moment. I feed and nurture this little orchid, watch 
it's leaves come and go, in hopes that in January when it's cold and gray, this little bit of wonder will grace my window. Welcome 2015!

I have no idea what type of orchid this is. I bought it (sans flowers) at an Orchid show ten years ago. The little pot was overflowing with leaves; stiff, unyielding, in many shades of brown and green. It was warm, humid inside the gallery and smelled like the damp earth from a much anticipated spring - I couldn't resist just a little something. I'd have done in a more expensive, showy plant long before now. I think the guy said it should bloom for 4 or 5 years, more if I'm lucky. Soak the pot once a week for 30 minutes. Keep it out of direct sunlight, la, la, la. It lives in a sunny east facing window. I'm sure it gets too cold in the winter but it seems to love the sun and the constant flow of moisture from the kitchen sink. It doesn't seem to like soaking so I just water it here and there when it seems to want that. Sshhh...don't tell it that so much time has gone by, just in case. 

Every year though, it gives me this moment. The moment when I stop to appreciate that this one year will be different. This little orchid, still incredibly beautiful despite the amount it loses and gains in 360 something days. So, something from Robert Henri. From the "Art Spirit"...

  "Of course, if a man were to plump suddenly 
into the world with the gift of telling the actual truth and acting rightly, he (or she*)
would not fit into our uncertain state, he would certainly be very disturbing - and most
probably we would send him (or her*) to jail.
We haven't arrived yet, and it is foolish to believe that we have. The world is not done.
Evolution is not complete." 

- Robert Henri - 1865-1929

 (*I added this because, well  gender mattered to me here!)