I love that wherever we are in the world, be it a hilly hamlet in the ‘burbs (hello, Novato!) or a bustling metropolis like London, we can, at any given time, find things that are weird and wonderful.
For example, I walked into Safeway a couple weeks ago to get some kimchi.
Long story, but there aren’t any Asian grocery stores in Novato, and the closest one is about 10 miles away, and I didn’t want to hop on the freeway.
Anyway, I went to Safeway to get some overpriced kimchi, and where I walked in was on the side with the floral department.
Boom! I walked into a deluge of these crazy blue orchids…
It was kind of surreal! Like I was in a sci-fi movie.
I remember reading someplace that blue is the rarest (or one of the rarest?) color in nature, and it did feel weird to see so many blue flowers concentrated in one place.
They look like technicolor flowers, don’t they? Actually, I don’t know how I feel about them… On one hand, I can’t stop staring, but on the other hand, there’s something a little off about them.
I dunno. What do you think?
That reminds me…on another trip, this one to Woodlands Pet Food & Treats, because they carry Ziwi Peak, which is Tabs’ favorite food (it’s from New Zealand, and he’s kind of bougie like that), but it’s very expensive, so I get it for him every once in a while as a special treat, as I surveyed the shelves, I spotted something I’d never seen before called Chicken Soup for the Soul Cat Food.
I wonder if it’s as inspiring as the book, LOL! I think I may have a copy around here somewhere that I got from my mom…
I wonder if it’s called that because the people who buy the book are primarily cat ladies? If so, how did anyone even find this out?! And what’s the relationship between the book and the food? Is the food supposed to soothe my soul, or my cat’s? And why are none of these flavors actually chicken soup?
This is so confusing to me. Maybe I’m taking it too literally…
Yeah, I probably am.
Still, I think it’s oddly delightful. 🙂
Peep the ladies hugging their cats on the labels, and the tag line: “Because food is more than just nutrition. It’s also about comfort, love and appreciation.”
I can totally get behind that, even if this whole situation is confusing to me.
I would’ve gotten Tabs a can, but he’s gotten so picky and diva-ish about his food in his senior years.
Anyway, keep a lookout for weird and wonderful things on your travels today. Let me know what you find. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi Karen! How are you?
Colored orchids like the blue one up top are most probably dyed. If you closely at its stem and there’s a green tape somewhere closer to the flower/s, that is the spot where the grower injected the dye- like a band aid after you get a vaccine shot. You could tell if its dyed because of the “bleeding” of the color instead of just a natural gradient. The coloring would be more solid on the natural colored variety than the dyed one. I learned that from my summer stint working at a nursery. ?
Hope all is well with you and the fam! ~cha
Hi Cha!
I figured there was some kind of dye up in the mix. Next time I go, I’ll check out the stems. So what happens when the dye runs out? Does the orchid go back to white?
Hi Karen! Yes. Sometimes, the grower will state that the flower is “injected or infused” with the coloring and that “new blooms will be white” on the product cardstock tag. Its a highly guarded “secret” what type of dye they use so make sure you dont get it on your hands because its hard to remove. Some phalaenopsis do not survive this process especially if its not done properly. The orchid will start to wither from intoxication and you wont even see new blooms at all. ~cha
I think the blue is very pretty but I just assumed that the flowers were fake. I see from Cha’s note above that they’re dyed. You learn something new every day! Hopefully. 🙂
Here’s my take on the cat food. They’re ALL Chicken flavored, just marketed for different ages/weights. I’m sort of making that up, based on the labels. HAHA!
I wonder if that’s the real color of those orchids or if they’ve been fed with a dye in the water or plant food supply. They’re eerie and beautiful at the same time.
I laughed when I just saw the photo of that cat food label. I couldn’t figure out if the food was for the woman or the cat. Why would the woman want to eat cat food? I guess I’m also very confused by that food.
Nora just turned 13 and she is becoming very picky about her food. And just when I think I’ve found a food she likes and buy a supply of it, she turns her nose up at it and we’re back to square one.
I worked in a local pet store that carried Chicken Soup for the Soul cat food, almost ten years ago, it’s good stuff!
Really? I can’t believe it’s been around for that long! LOL
So glad it’s not just Coco who is picky with her food, she loves something one week and then the next week she turns her nose up at it. I think she just likes to keep us on our toes. I adore orchids (have about 10 in various rooms throughout the hiuse – I’m banned by my hubhie from buying any more!), but I don’t like those blue ones. I prefer my orchid flowers their natural colour. The weirdest thing I’ve seen recently was an albino blackbird, looked most odd.
I love orchids too! My parents grow them and they have all sorts of colors; I’ve never seen blue ones before and find them kind of unsettling!
I love Coco’s name, by the way. 🙂 How old is she?
Hi Karen, Coco is 10 years old. She’s a tortoiseshell and white (calico) with a white bib and white paws front and back. She’s my baby, my hubby and I love her to bits! She’s a very sweet natured kitty, she gives us lots of love and kitty kisses!
Aww, what a sweetpea kitty. 🙂 I have a soft spot for calicos because my first cat was a moody calico with a patchwork orange and black coat. I think all cats are great, but cats that aren’t shy about showing their affection are especially great. She’s lucky to have you as an assistant!
Tabs, by the way, gives his regards. He’s “supervising” me right now from under the desk.
Aww, bless Tabs, give him a kiss from me! xx