Having been going on and off for over thirty years, and feeling a bit under the weather, I was not planning on attending this year. A receptionist and orchid enthusiast at one of the nursing homes I practice Horticultural Therapy at asked me if I was going this year. I told her no, and she said, "It is going to be great and you are buying a ticket now."
None of my friends were interested in going for a multitude of reasons, so I attended myself. I went to Holiday Park, where it was held and was surprised not not see crowds leaving the auditorium with shopping bags full of orchids. At every show, no one leaves empty handed. People walking in did not look happy or as well dressed as the orchid enthusiasts of years past. There was a negative energy flowing. As I walked there was a sign stating it said if you buy a ticket to get in you get a free pass for another gun show. Something seemed weird and sure enough, I had the wrong week, and it was a gun show. No wonder no one was smiling.
I went back the next weekend and sure enough there was excitement in the air. People were smiling, carrying their beautiful orchids and looking refreshed and invigorated as they left the hall. The show did not disappoint and I naturally had to buy some orchids. I walked around, toured the show, chatted here and there with strangers, met a few acquaintances. The president and board members of the show came up to me and said hello. I hate going to events alone so it was nice to see some familiar faces.
I had a marvelous time at the show and was happy to attend as always. I felt happy and refreshed leaving the event. That day I came home and shot a video of the baby bare root orchids I bought and how to plant them in a container. After the video a few weeks later I added some lava rocks to keep them in place so they would not fall out.
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