I was walking to the subway today on twenty-eight and realized that I was in the flower district. It’s confined to one block now so calling it a district is a bit of a misnomer, but still, it’s a block filled with growing things. I was tempted into a shop and walked out with an orchid and a little palm tree. The orchid is up on top of a bookshelf so the cats can’t get to it.
The palm is in the window. Marlowe spent a little while happily gnawing on it. I asked the florist for something that wouldn’t poison my cat. He said this was popular with cat owners. It’s hardy and can stand up to some punctured leaves. It’s nice to have green things in the apartment.
Ahh, my old stomping grounds! Our loft was on 27th, and we would sometimes hear the trucks delivering flowers in the wee hours, and could see large palms and huge bunches of color in between the buildings behind us. Of course, that was over 10 years ago, when it was still a district covering several blocks, with auxiliary businesses like the one that sold florafoam pyramids and wired ribbon, in addition to the dried and silk places.
Ooh! I have an orchid that I bought in the flower … block. Lovely!
I have had several orchid plants since November 17, 2001. They even bloom sometimes.
Nov.17th must be an auspicious date.
Yes, Mom’s orchids will be six years old this year.