THURSDAY RAMBLINGS - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AT THE ORCHID SHOW

"I submitted my resignation to the Board of Directors last night", Becky informed me when we met for lunch a few months ago.  "I could not take it anymore", she continued.  I responded, "Congratulations" and we both laughed.  To understand my congratulatory when someone just sort-of becoming unemployed, you would have to know the "stuff" Becky had put up with the last 10+ years.  Her official title is Executive Director at an association.  But there was no support staff and Becky wore all the hats.

Becky worked from a home office which was the only great thing about the job.  The official mailing address for correspondence went to a post office mailbox.  The office phone was set up only to receive messages and then being forwarded to Becky's cell phone.  However, frequent callers would call Becky directly, day and night as well as weekend, on her mobile number.  The Board set a tight budget so Becky could not get temporary help or outsource even when she needed to get the work done since there would be no "extra" money to pay for the service.  Very often, Becky would be stuffing envelopes, running the postage and dropping off the mailing at the post office.

As "executive director" Becky would be required to be present at all the membership events (who else would be there since there was no other staff).  The functions were in the evenings from 6:30 to 10 and required long distance driving.  Being a salary employee, Becky would not receive overtime pay.  Her compensation had been the same the last 2 years because of the "freeze" in the budget.

Last week, when we met again for lunch, I noticed Becky's hands no longer shaking.  The dark circles under her eyes have gotten lighter.  When she smiles, there was light in her eyes, as if the spirits in her soul have returned.  I listened as Becky excitedly telling me about all the things she has been able to do with her son, Aaron.  They would go to the park after she helped him with his homework.  Physically, her health has improved and the sharp pains no longer there after each meal.

Update - Becky called yesterday to tell me that she has gotten a job near her house.  "Just a 30+ hours part time receptionist, office work job", Becky explained, "the pay is good and the best part is I still able to pick up Aaron after school and helping him with his homework".  I offered my congratulatory and best wishes to Becky.  My wishes were more than just for the job, it was for the health, the happiness, the sanity and most of all, her peaceful soul.

TUESDAY TWO - BUTTERFLIES

The theme for December at the Butterfly House (www.butterflyhouse.org) is Snow in the Tropics when over 1,000 Paper Kite butterflies in free-flight over white orchids. The black/white butterflies gave an illusion of snow falling inside the tropical conservatory.

Not much happening after the 4-day Thanksgiving break, just the typical work load and daily lunch that consisted of left-over turkey. The weather was still in the mid-40s. CP finally stored his golf clubs away. He also put the hard-top on the T-bird and then carefully giving "her" a good coat of wax. I started looking around for ideas what to get CP for his birthday/Christmas. It is nice to marry to a man whose birthday is on December 25th. I only have to buy two presents and then decide which one is for birthday and the other would be for Christmas!

TUESDAY TWO - ORCHIDS IN PAIRS

Orchids in pairs or Orchids in Paris? Hey Qaptain Qwerty, is this qualified as "spoonie"?

OWLS AND ORCHIDS

Unlike other butterflies, the owl butterflies do not visit flowers for nectar, they prefer fruits as the main source for food. Can you tell how many gathered on the fruit tray of slices of orange in the above photo?

The owl butterflies are the largest butterflies and they got their name from the classic eyepot on the undersurface of their wings. During the day, they rest on tree trunks, on the walls, on the ground or on any surface.

In October, the Butterfly House features almost 100 blooming orchids and almost 2,000 owl butterflies from Costa Rica and Surinam got their "visa or working permit" to visit St. Louis during the month of October. The owl butterflies take wing in the evening in search for food and mates. I went to the Butterfly House on Tuesday when the Coservatory opens late until 7:00 p.m. We were surrounded by the owl butterflies flying in large group. It was a treat to see the owl butterflies in flight, in the dark. I saw a guest's head was almost covered by owl butterflies. He looked like he did not mind because they covered the areas where his hair no longer there.

I took these photos earlier in the day. The orchids looked so beautiful, especially with the sun shining, making the flowers so much more radiant.

It always made me happy whenever I visited the Butterfly House. Just seeing the colorful, beautiful blooming orchids and watching the butterflies in flight (so carefree so unconstrained) and for those moments, all my troubles seemed to be so far away!

Do you like orchids? Do you have orchids in your homes? Do you know the name of the orchids in this post? I will be sharing more photos of the butterflies and orchids in future posts.