Splendor

“Life's splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come.”
~ Franz Kafka, Diaries, 1910 1923

We went to a dinner party last night. It was delightful and so was our host’s garden. She had planted a wide variety of trees, plants and flowers, including some gorgeous orchids. Since, moving to Ecuador, I’ve learned that orchids are very common in the country. Over 4000 species have been classified. They can be found as epiphytes on trees, as lithophytes on rocks or rooted in the soil in the more traditional terrestrial fashion. It's been wonderful to discover new splendors and find new friends.