Friday, September 30, 2005

I Am An Orchid

One day my friend JPM told me that I was like an orchid because I "rarely bloom," and I thought, "Hey! That's not very nice." Since then, I've looked up orchids and I've come to appreciate the flower. I've also read a bit about orchids and sort of analyzed myself to see if I really am like an orchid. Interestingly enough, it's been a bit of a learning experience for me.

By the way, this is one of my favorite pictures of orchids. Anyway, did you know that the orchid family is regarded by most botanists as the largest family of flowering plants? Yep, it's true. ....well, that doesn't really mean anything to me, but maybe you can come up with something. But.... when I looked up orchids in an encyclopedia, it said that discussions about orchids often leave the impression that orchids are "somehow different" from other plants. That's like me!!!! I'm "somehow different" from other people!

There's a wide variety of locations and climates in which orchids grow. There are some in tropical areas, and orchids can be found in the arctic, as well. I hope this is symbolic of me because I would like to travel all over the world and see many places. Some uses of orchids are: to derive vanilla, for medicinal purposes, as a seasoning, for eating, as a flour substitute, a substitute for gum arabic, and as a glue substitute. I like the glue one. I would like to be like glue. ...not because of that whole "I'm rubber and you're glue..." thing. One time I was told that I was the glue that held a choir section together. That was flattering. I was told by a friend once that I was like glue for a group of friends. Flattering. I like being glue. I like being an orchid.

Even though I'm "somehow different," and that could be construed as an insult, it's a compliment to me. I like being "somehow different" because I'm not afraid of being an individual and having my own opinions, even if they're unpopular or people don't understand them. I am happy to be me, and I want to be like an orchid and be able to "bloom" (cheesy, I know) in whatever situation I am placed, whether it be on a vine, on the side of a tree, in the ground, in the arctic, or in tropical areas. For more information regarding orchids... you should look it up. They really are cool flowers, despite being "somehow different."

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ooo, Orchids are cool. Remember in Harry and the Hendersons, he eats Sarah's Orchid 15th birthday corsage out of the fridge, that she was saving 'for the rest of her life.' I don't know how that is relevant at all, but that was what popped into my head when I heard the word "Orchid". What color of Orchid would you want to be? Can I be a flower too? I think I would be a sunflower or a daisy....just because I like them.(Well, I like the actual daisy flower, but the plant itself is ugly and looks like a weed.) Actually, I don't know if that would really fit my personality or not. I would like to be a fall leaf too because of the colors, but I don't want to be associated with something thats dying, I suppose. What do you think?

Cardine said...

Tearese, In reply, I would be a purple orchid because... I am enjoying purple a lot lately. I could see you being a sunflower or daisy. A fall leaf is dying, but it's all a part of its life cycle, so I don't think it's bad to be associated with fall leaves that even in 'death' bring people joy because of their beauty.

julie said...

I learned something about orchids this weekend, or at least one group of them. They are an essential ingredient in the survival of the brazil nut tree in the amazon forest. Bees pollinate the tree, its sole way to reproduce. The female bees only procriate with males who have a certain smell, the smell of an orchid. So, the bees sometimes travel miles to rub themselves with orchids. Without the orchids the bees would die out, as would the brazil nut tree and all the life forms that depend on the brazil nut. I thought of you when the show talked about orchids. Don't you just love PBS? I do!

Anonymous said...

Susan Orlean wrote a book called "The Orchid Thief." It is a true story about a Florida man named John LaRoche who spends his time sloshing through chest-high government-protected waters just to find obscure but glorious orchids. It is his passion; it consumes his life. Perhaps orchids rarely bloom, but look at what they inspire once they do.

Anonymous said...

Cardine, if friends were flowers, I'd pick you.

Oh wait.... I mean.... if I were a flower, I think I'd be a wall flower. Oh, no... that's really me.

Okay, seriously now... what type of flower am I?

Anonymous said...

Found an orchid quote...thought it quite fitting...

"Some are incredibly beautiful -- almost magical. [A Cattleya orchid] ... only blooms when it's motivated. I've had it for 10 years now. Sometimes I wonder why I keep it. I've forgotten what it looks like so I'll just wait and see when it does decide to bloom."
- Eleanor Mis on Orchids

more orchid quotes here.

Cardine said...

"Seven" :), that was very cool that you put a link in the comment. Someday you'll have to let me know how to do it...because I found a website for Sarah to find out what kind of flower she is. An orchid isn't an option. In fact, there are only seven options and I would guess that Sarah is a daisy. The website address that provides tons of annoying pop-ups which I hate is selectsmart.com and go to lawn and garden and then to the flower personality selector.

Anonymous said...

So I took that test on the website you suggested. It said I was a Stargazer Lily. A dreamer that opens up at night to look at the stars. Not bad. I wouldn't have minded the Lotus choice either,becuase it was thoughtful and smart (or something like that) but that was number four on the list it gave me.
I agree that Sarah would be a daisy!

julie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
julie said...

I am a daisy. Not too shabby. It only describes one dimension of my personality, though, and I don't think my number 2 and 3 flowers complete the picture. They were the Stargazer lily and the Tiger lily. Hmmm. I'm not sure that I'm wild and crazy. :)

I wish sego lily was an option. They are my favorite flowers, though they don't really smell. I like the scent of lilacs. sigh.

How did you come across that website?

Cardine said...

I found that website because Sarah wondered what kind of flower she is. I have been to some sites where you can find out what movie star you are, etc., so I was sure there would be one for a type of flower. Then, I googled it, and found one. Yeah, these types of tests are usually based on one personality trait, but a person's character is made up of so many different traits, so it would really be impossible to accurately pinpoint one thing that is symbolic of a person's entire character.

Anonymous said...

except, perhaps, for the number 7.
;D

Anonymous said...

When I took the quiz, the first result was... drum roll.... Baby's Breath. Daisy was number two.

I like personality tests like that... it's fun. Thanks, Cardine.