Someone gave me an orchid.
I’ve never been quite sure whether I really like orchids or not. To one who loves the beautiful simplicity of daisies, they seem worryingly exotic, fleshy and organic, almost alien things. It seems they have many symbolic connotations – strength, loyalty, luxury, virilty ( the name itself derives from the Greek ‘orchis’ meaning testicle ) elegance and refinement. As I’ve looked more closely at my gift – a particularly pure white flowered example – I’ve finally decided that I find it strangely alluring and beautiful and certainly a fascinating subject for a short series of photos………
.
View from a French Hillside 
Lovely 🙂
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Many thanks tinywriter!
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Beautiful pics of the orchids.
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Thankyou verry much, I’m delighted you like them!
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Orchids are my favorite flower, but they are very difficult at maintaining (if you get one in a pot).
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HI Anna! Yes I’m a bit worried they may not last long as our house is old and very cold! I’
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Very, very lovely indeed.
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Thankyou very much zdunno I really appreciate that 🙂
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I like them much more now I know they’re named after bollocks…But that’s me all over!
Splendid pics M de M, absolutely splendid.
🙂
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Just went to see if you’d posted something but no, quelle déception, bldy quiet here on wp this week
So glad you like the orchids sh, thought the name derivation might amuse you ! 😀
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I’m in the middle of shooting portraits for an assignment so no time for anything fun photography wise…. I think I need a break from photography to do some photography…. What’s that all about?
😦
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HaHa! 😀 Student’s greatest dilemma I reckon, when someone else tells you to do something creative it’s not the same as thining of it and doing it for yourself is it ! Have fun – portrait’s my favourite but don’t get much opportunity here unless it’s the cat 😦
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I’ve been banging on doors in Birminghams jewellery quarter and shooting artist/craftspeople ‘in the workplace’….A little scary but I was surprised how many people agreed, and how nice they were…..
I’ll probably post some once they have been printed.
🙂
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Sounds fabulous! Will definitely look forward to seeing those 🙂 I don’t suppose you’d like to see my cat portraits? They’re very cutting edge
😦
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C’mon Jane, show us your *****..
NO !!!, I will not stoop to such depths…Bad jokes AND the use of unpleasant Americanisms is simply a step too far.
I would love to see your zeitgeisty cat portraits.
0:-)
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I shall float above the first part of that comment
– I’m watching lots of US stuff on Netflix at the moment so I know where you’re going 
– Damn, I’d better go and take some edgy cat photos 
😕 😀
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Yes…I’m perfectly happy you ignored it….Very tacky!!
Looking forward to the fashionista felines and moggies a la mode…..
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😛 😛 Just found one of them gnawing on a mouse head – bit too cutting edge for me – think I’ll stick with flowers for now
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They’re blood thirsty creatures but I am very much a cat man…… I love my three cats to distraction, but I’m perfectly aware that if they were ten times bigger I’d be cat food.
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Just realised I’d lit the woodburner because the cat told me to
Alas and alack we are but slaves and human tinopeners to them 😦 😕
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Our cats expect us to bow and curtsey!!!!
(Sorry for late reply Janey :-)…Life is currently a bag of shite!)
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Know the feeling sh 😦 – hope it’s not really that bad – spring is definitely springing over here – has to be good 🙂 When ‘s your impending aging day? Soon I calculate
that should cheer you up – pension and bus pass soon 
😥
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Spring can’t be sprung soon enough Madame……. 🙂
Thursday is the day of doom…I’m intending to celebrate with an ear syringing and a new tube of haemorrhoid ointment ……….
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Now don’t go mad, you’ll only topple over the zimmer frame ….
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I’ve been fitted with a special ‘Soft Tumble’ helmet…….An excellent piece of kit!
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Phew! That’s reassuring, have to be careful of the old hips at your age 😀
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PS I have a favour to ask if I dare and you don’t mind ? 😕
I just spent the last 4 weeks completely redoing my website – wondered if you’d have a look and tell me what you think? Be nice please 
it’s at http://www.theartcardpress.com
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Wild horses etc etc……
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Ta ever so!
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OK ….I’ve been for a shufti.
Here we go……
Firstly, I didn’t realise a WordPress site could be so functional…. Shopping carts, and all those sub menus…VERY impressive.
BUT, the thing that really strikes me is that the functionality doesn’t swamped the content. The strongest impression is one of, what I think I can best describe as, very successful ‘Friendly Branding’…..
It’s all very business like and ‘Pro’ but your visitor really can’t avoid getting a feel for something rather personal and warm.
I think the sites great Jane, I really do!
You are going to keep up with ‘View from a Onion Munchers Hillside’ as well though I hope?
Pretty please? 🙂
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Thankyou mille fois sh, your comments just made my day! 🙂 Tis the effect I was after, I’m hoping to appeal to some good agents to sell my stuff in the UK – sadly la belle France is a bit of a desert for greeting cards. Heaven knows how I’ll find the agents though, how I wish I were a practised networker but never been much good at that sort of thing! WP sites are certainly many and varied these days and a Godsend to a non techie like me! Certainly not intended to replace my Hillside efforts, got too used to my wee blog to give that up! 🙂 😉
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VERY relieved to hear that….. 🙂
Good luck with the agent hunting…I’m the same with all things networky I’m afraid….In my case the water has to come to the horse.
🙂
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Quite so! Definitely born in the wrong era, just can’t see the appeal of Farcebook etc 🙂 😀
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Jane, your orchid photos are stunning. The white on white effect is so clean, yet velvety soft. It has me searching for the edges. I really think they’re extraordinary.
And funny, I’ve never been an orchid fan myself. I was given one as a gift as well, and for years I’ve attempted to take care of this finicky plant. It barely limps along, most of the time flowerless. I’m sure it is a reflection of my inability to care for something so delicate and refined. Maybe if I snap a few photos of it, it may feel somewhat favored and make an effort not to wither further?
I’ll give it a try.
Or maybe I’ll just show it pictures of yours and shout at it to measure up.
Yeah, that might not go over too well.
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Thankyou Shelley! I confess I’m afraid to ponder the future of this hothouse flower, thrown as it has been, into the rugged conditions of our not so hot house! I’ll do my best but I reckon I was wise to take the photos whilst it still has flowers to boast 😀
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I love your blog. Your photographs are amazing.
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Thankyou Chan! I really appreciate that! PS Audrey is my favourite too!
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PERFECTION… ❤ RAR = rien à rajouter…
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Merci mille fois Mélanie!
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Reblogged this on View from a French Hillside.
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