I have to admit to being a bit stumped for a pic today so when I was watering my orchids and I saw this “nearly a heart” in the bud of the orchid I was bought for Christmas last year by DMs Mum, I thought it’d be the best I could hope for so here it is.

This plant’s flowers last year lasted ages and had the most fantastic scent imaginable. I really didn’t expect it to flower again and if I’m honest, the only reason why it didn’t find its way into the compost heap last year is because it was “easier and quicker” to water it than to carry it off down the garden.

It’s shocking how much I do that in my life I’ve realised. Take the path of least resistance so things get no more complicated and hard than they already are. I’m just now coming to realise how “superhuman” the effort of holding down a highly complex, challenging job, running a home and doing all of the other things I do has been. I’m finding it difficult at the moment to provide for our most basic needs – making sure we have food for a meal in the evening, clean clothes to wear and that the dogs and other animals are properly cared for. I know I’ve said it before but I really don’t know how I’ve been doing everything for so long.

I’m very glad now that I didn’t chuck out the orchid because I now can look forward to a “free” display of flowering. Something working for once to give me a bit of pleasure with little or no effort from me. That’s quite an unusual occurrence in my world.

Last year, I was extolling the virtues of age.....