Shelter in Place, San Francisco, California
This is the newest and last blooming orchid in the house and it’s about to drop its petals. The lovely, subtle arch of color has been blooming since before the pandemic began, but very soon we will be orchid-less, at least for the foreseeable future. Seven more flowerless ones rest in various stages of slow rejuvenation on window ledges around the house, just beyond sun’s reach. But though I’ve had some luck in encouraging them all to repeat bloom before, we’re in a dry spell now that looks to last a while. Ordinarily, I’d go out and get another fully flowering orchid to fill the gap (that’s how I ended up with the seven that are resting now) but I haven’t gone anywhere near a store for months and it doesn't feel the time to do it now.
This orchid is not the only thing that’s sheltered with us since the beginning but is finally running out. We realized on a run to the doctor’s office today that we are still on the same tank of gas we had when the mayor closed the city down in March; at this rate, we may have to refill sometime in August. Only last week did I finally spend the last of the small stash of twenties I happened to have in my wallet when the quarantine began. And, alas, we’re nearing the final episodes of several of our favorite video diversions, with no new seasons in the works.
I wish these were all signs that our self-isolation is nearly behind us, but I’m not expecting that. More likely, I’ll cut the orchid back and set it on the shelf beside the others, make a quick trip to the cash machine for a just-in-case resupply, and look for something else - perhaps less satisfying - to stream tonight.