Friday 15 February 2013

focus on life–week 7–beauty of flowers

Thank you all for your comments last week on my sweet kitty Roxy.  I loved how much fur came about from that prompt.

Continuing on this week, Sally offered up the prompt to take a moment to enjoy the beauty of flowers.  My first thought was I would be visiting a friend and her new baby so of course I would bring flowers. Twist of fate, they were unavailable for a visit (I’ll leave the reason private for them).   So I considered getting flowers just for myself to enjoy and photograph, but as the week drew closer to the 14th the cheapskate in me took over.  Buy flowers around Valentine’s day ?!? Nope, not for me. 

Back to basics, I thought about a time when I enjoyed flowers the most.  First and foremost would be my wedding day.  My mum, aunt and I did all the flowers ourselves.  I think I’ll save those for another day though.   Thinking back to my childhood there was my first trip to Trinidad where the beauty of flowers was truly overwhelming, like nothing I had ever seen before.

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This is part of my Aunt and Uncle’s orchid garden.  My dad took these pictures on their last trip, a few years ago.  The orchids, being air plants, are very happy on these clay pipes that really loomed large when I was four but I guess they are about four feet high.  Below you get a better view of the freedom the roots enjoy this way.

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Of course that all just sets the stage for the main star, the flower!

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I’m pretty sure these more purple ones are in a separate plot.  Really it’s ones that were an even richer purple that I remember specifically.  My dad had great shots of them from our trip in 1984, that ended up as enlargements in our guest room growing up.  Alas, those particular shots weren’t digital… and not easy for my Dad to dig up and share on short notice :) but I think these shots – all taken by him – are pretty darn good.  I can almost feel the humidity!

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My Uncle tended this garden lovingly for roughly 40 years.  He was part of the Orchid Society and displayed at the annual orchid show.  He died at the start of this month, peacefully, after many years suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  I had last seen him mid 90s, before any sign of illness, and remember him as a quiet and friendly man – who loved orchids.

Looking forward to seeing all the beauty of flowers you all have to share as each week the pictures are so inspiring.  Join me in heading over to Sally’s blog for all the links.

Oh but before you go… Could I trouble you for a vote?

A local photographer is running a contest for a free headshot, the idea, prove that you need it and have people vote for you.  I kept to the rules and selected a photo I have used as a bio shot before.  Here is the picture and the original it was cropped from.  I am hiding the identity of the sweet baby I was holding (not mine) and I’m not even sure really who took the photo for me!  So as you can see I could really put a professional shot to good use.  Would you be so kind to vote for me? I really appreciate your support.

Emma Todd copyEmma Todd full shot

32 comments:

  1. What a spectacular garden and wonderful memories you have!

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  2. Oh, lovely orchids. I'm from the Philippines and it makes me miss my moms beautiful orchids. - Michelle @17

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  3. Those orchids are gorgeous! Oh how I wish my thumbs were green instead of black ...

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  4. Your uncle's Vanda orchids are outstanding. He certainly had an amazing garden. BTW vote is in, hope you win.

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  5. Thank you for the beautiful flower pics from a distant land. They are awesome.

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  6. wow!! i've never seen orchids growing so abundantly before!! just stunning!! and what a lovely photo of you - and mystery baby :)

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  7. Love orchids. One of the reasons is because it is Singapore's (my country) national flower. Also, I have voted for u. Hope u win. :)

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  8. I've never seen and orchid garden like that! How amazing

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  9. More orchids! They are truly lovely. I need to go visit one of our local greenhouses, I think!

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  10. What an amazing garden! Orchids are so beautiful.

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  11. Ah, you know I love orchids (and I knew I'd be in for a huge treat this week :) ) - never seen them in a garden, I really need to get in touch with our Orchid Society :)

    Love your pictures and your story (sorry for your loss; I believe your Uncle is now tending to beautiful gardens, exactly as he loved to do here on earth) - and I voted for you, hope you win!

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  12. Wonderful photos your father took. I grew up on Guam and everyone had orchids in the yard, too. They grew them differently though--in large wooden planters filled with coconut husks. And they were all the same variety. I'm sorry about the loss of your uncle but glad that you last saw him at his best. I voted for you!

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  13. What amazing shots!! Orchids are truly an unusual and gorgeous flower.

    (no. 45 this week)

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  14. Emma Thanx for sharing a wonderful memory with us. Your uncle's orchids are gorgeous.

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  15. Wow, Trinidad! How amazing! And an orchid garden? Jealous!!!! Great photos!

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  16. Wow - gorgeous flowers,..amazing photos!! I'm going to go over now and try to vote!

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  17. How interesting! Gorgeous shots and your post.

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  18. That's a very lovely way to remember your uncle. The orchids are amazing. Going over now to vote.

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  19. An orchid garden! What heaven...it's stunningly beautiful.
    I voted for you. Good luck

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  20. I have never seen orchids grown like that , what a beautiful garden! I would imagine it was a magical place to be as a child, lovely memories for you to have of your uncle.

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  21. The orchids are beautiful and I LOVE the clay pipes they are in, I've never seen any thing like that before.

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  22. Oh my, those orchids are truly beautiful...it's such fun seeing how creative all of us that live in the north were with this prompt! Waiting for the tulips....

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  23. Oh my what a beautiful story...

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  24. How nice that your Dad was able to come up with the amazing photos. This was no doubt a walk down memory lane for you. Such beautiful shades within each flower.

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  25. Beautiful photos to invoke sweet memories. I am so sorry for your loss.
    ps - I voted!

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  26. What beautiful shots! And I think you look lovely.

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  27. Oh goodness! I have never seen how orchids grow -- I guess I thought they all grew low to the ground. Shows you how much I know about flowers. Thanks for teaching me something new. And what a nice tribute to your uncle. He sounds very special.

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  28. I had forgotten that orchids are air plants, as I've never grown them myself. But as soon as I read that, I remembered that many of the smaller, more rare varieties actually grow in the crooks of trees. Thanks for reminding me! And for sharing such a wonderful personal memory! What a wonderful legacy your Uncle left behind!

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  29. I think those are the most beautiful orchids I have ever seen. I just love them.

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  30. Those Vanda's are absolutely beautiful! Your uncle did a great job with them too! Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos with us!

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I'd love to hear what you think, thanks for taking the time to join in the conversation