Our little orchid people

June 28, 2019 by Robin Ellis

“They’re essentially volunteers” Meredith says this morning as she waters our visitors.

Whitey-pink and bluey-mauve; they arrived, it seemed, overnight; all of a sudden–there they were.

This morning they are enjoying the shifting light–a static ballet–barely responding to the whisper of a breeze; stick figures in an orchid conversation.

It’s mercifully cooler than yesterday–better for humans, cats and stick-people alike.

Beau likes to walk in the orchid forest early before the sun comes round to the courtyard;

…then rest in the shade on the cool metal seat of the wrought iron garden chair.

Behind my ear a small bumble bee is enjoying bounty from our extended orchid family, buzzing between mauve and pink, making them sway a little as he lands..

Three white butterflies swoop in–fighting among themselves; clearly two’s company three’s a crowd.

Ben rushes in–he never saunters–and settles at the dry food plate, before heading for the water bowl. It’s tough for sleek black cats in the near midday sun.

For a little longer we’re all happy to be in the courtyard–but the heat is rising–the skin starting to prickle–and soon we’ll make a dive indoors.

Stay awhile-stick people. We think you’re beautiful!

Posted in other sides to this life | 27 Comments

27 Responses

on June 28, 2019 at 12:21 pm | Reply Norma L-H

Such sweet poetry Robin. Happy to see you writing again.
Thank you both for my wonderful visit.
Give my love to Meredith
- on June 28, 2019 at 12:54 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Norma.
  France is challenging Washington for heat today!
on June 28, 2019 at 12:23 pm | Reply marmeladegypsy

Your boys are very handsome and look in their element in the lovely garden!
on June 28, 2019 at 12:40 pm | Reply cylb

The flowers are so beautiful and I love seeing your cats outdoors. My cats, Tabby and Sweetie, see the outside world from the front and backdoor.
on June 28, 2019 at 1:14 pm | Reply Carrie Baide-Pugh

What a nice way to describe your world. Looks lovely and peaceful! Beau knows how to ‘live the life”! 😎
on June 28, 2019 at 1:15 pm | Reply Karen Stines

Sweet!

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on June 28, 2019 at 2:08 pm | Reply Judy Skolnick

Lovely – the prose, flowers and felines on an early summer day.
Humid heat as the day moves on – not so much.
But then the long summer evening to anticipate – lovely, too.
on June 28, 2019 at 2:23 pm | Reply Judy Skolnick (@judyskolnick)

Lovely – the prose, flowers and felines on an early summer day.
Humid heat as the day moves on – not so much.
But then the long summer evening to anticipate – lovely, too.
on June 28, 2019 at 2:24 pm | Reply Claire Harouni

ALWAYS REMEMBER–

DOGS HAVE OWNERS
CATS HAVE STAFF

I TOO AM REMINDED OF THIS WHEN I GARDEN
on June 28, 2019 at 2:29 pm | Reply Maria Buncick

Lucky kitties!
on June 28, 2019 at 2:29 pm | Reply catmom1blog

Love the photos. The cats enjoying the flowers and napping among them. Corriene
on June 28, 2019 at 4:59 pm | Reply Meryl D Rudolph

Volunteers- a name my Dad used to describe little trail blazers that thrived despite conditions that would challenge less hardy plants. Your delphinium are reminders that all things are possible with patience and persistence.
on June 28, 2019 at 7:59 pm | Reply Genny

Beautiful ! Your writing captured the feeling of being, there !
on June 28, 2019 at 8:51 pm | Reply joanpryan@yahoo.com

Idyllic ! You and Meredith are leading an idyllic life! Enjoy! Joan

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on June 29, 2019 at 12:10 am | Reply Penelope Cramphorn

Beau and Ben are SO gorgeous!
on June 29, 2019 at 12:41 am | Reply Mary Pirog

I love the opening line to this post. I am happy to see you blogging again. I have missed your blogs as they brighten the day (and encourage cooking). I found this musing especially dear.
- on June 29, 2019 at 6:55 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks Mary–v v hot here.
  Best to you and Neil.
on June 29, 2019 at 3:50 am | Reply Gerald Meaders

Dear Sir
Wonderful images and text.
One could imagine something out of Monet’s Giverny.
Funny you should mention stick figures, the farthest thing from this look. I have an old Lowry life drawing, of all things, looks nothing whatever like his matchstick men!
Thanks for posting this.
All the best
- on June 29, 2019 at 6:56 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Lucky that you are to have a Lowry!
on June 29, 2019 at 10:38 am | Reply Robin Ellis

Better informed friends tell us these are larkspurs and not orchids!
on June 29, 2019 at 10:44 am | Reply Gabrielle Dempsey

Heavenly!
on June 29, 2019 at 12:54 pm | Reply Nancy Dennis

Yes. Look like larkspur to me.
Here in sunny Santa Fe, I look out at yellow and orange marigolds, yellow yarrow, yellow broom, pink geraniums, red roses, hummingbirds nosing into orange penstemon cardinalis — all framed by yellow and white honeysuckle and green wisteria. No pet kitty, but a resident bobcat with two kitties!
Nancy D.
on June 29, 2019 at 2:58 pm | Reply rachel tourre

So lovely to get one of your posts. Your sharing of country life always brings a smile. Thank you.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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- on June 30, 2019 at 12:08 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Rachel
on July 1, 2019 at 5:44 pm | Reply helenjwallwork@gmail.com

So beautifully written, Robin.
- on July 2, 2019 at 8:13 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thank you Helen.
on February 1, 2020 at 6:50 am | Reply saffronrose

What a lovely view of your day around your garden!

I once attended a festival/retreat at a clothing-optional spot, where the cost & conditions of the indoor lodging was unacceptable, so I did something I don’t enjoy, and camped out in the middle of the dry meadow. Showers and pools required traversing a steepish wild hillside.

One morning I was headed to the shower when I spied a yellow ground orchid (I looked it up to be sure, it was one of the ladyslipper varieties). When I looked up, I heard a rustling in the trees: a doe was scrambling down the hill a foot in front of me!

That alone made the discomfort worth the trip.
Marina in the Valley of Heart’s Delight CA