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The Night Kitchen

Kwan Yin and blooming orchids in our kitchen window at night

By Barbara Jo Shipka

March 15^th, 2015

Five orchids are in bloom and a sixth will bloom soon.
They all sit together against a dark night with Kwan Yin in our kitchen window behind the sink.

The green plants are around all year long and then, slowly the delicate and sensuous flowers emerge.
Sometimes the blossoms last for months.
Like the fuchsia beauty, for example.

Before I had orchids in the house, I had heard that they are hard to grow.
What I’ve found is that benign neglect seems to work well when they are not in bloom.
I water them infrequently, don’t pay too much attention to them throughout the year.
They bloom on their own terms. And once they do, I am very appreciative and grateful for their stunning beauty.
And every day I let them know.

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