For a number of reasons I had to give up one of my hobbies. Mostly the arthritis. So I sold off some equipment and stuff. Then two major events happened at the same time. I had extra spending cash and Andy's had a sale! Well since I like some of the little guys Andy sells I could not resist. So here's the new additions coming my way. Pictures are from Andy's site.

Sophronitis cernua Had one of these years ago. Lasted for years but went the way of all old plants

Pleurothallis ornata (schiedei)

Pleurothallis allenii

Phymatidium falcifolium

Octomeria juncifolia

Maxillaria sophronitis

Ohh, those bring back memories, they ( except the Octomeria) are among the plants I grew years ago too. I still have the Pleurothallis ornata, but the others are gone.
Really nice choices, Ted! I am so tempted to expand my collection again.

Well, Andy extended the sale. Just Sayin'

I really enjoyed your Sophronitis cernua Ted. It has long been a favorite of mine!

Glad to hear it, Nick. Like I said had one early in my orchid hobby and lasted for a long, long time

A follow up story. The Sophronitis cernua I ordered from Andy's was species size. Had that extra cash, remember. Well what I got was the small 19.95 plant. I e-mailed Andy's orchids about it the evening it arrived. By noon the next day I had a reply Quote:
Sorry Ted, it's my bad,
We will get one out to you next week at no charge to you, so keep the other and enjoy.

Andy

Customer service at its finest. The correct plant was shipped next day and arrived in perfect condition.

I agree, I always had really good experiences buying from Andy!

I managed to locate this image I had of a Sophronitis cernua. It is such a pretty species.
I keep searching sales tables up here but I am not having too much luck. I find plants that are too small or others that are very expensive.
But it has always grown well for me when I had a greenhouse years ago. I would like to try another plant or two but under lights.

Nick have you looked at Diamond Orchids? Peter Lin has some neat and unusual things, he's also a very nice guy.

No I have not.
Thank you very much for the tip. I really appreciate it!

Ted just got two from Andy's.

My plants just arrived late yesterday from SVO Orchids. Fred Clarke released his Cattleya list recently and I could not resist. I had a shelf on my one plant cart that needed to be filled with orchids! It was so lonely I could hear it gently weeping at night.
So I invested in plants from 9 crosses, all reds, yellows or yellows with colored lips. Two of each cross. So naturally I am anxious to see some flower. I hope to have some flower images soon.
Compact Cattleyas generally max out under 12" for bulb an leaf length and require fairly small pots.
My shelf will no longer weep at night!

You mean shelves cry?😄
It sounds lovely!

Just like Prince with Doves Crying, my shelf was whimpering. I felt so bad for it.

Well just like you Ursula and your hand injury, I too anticipated getting my knee back in working order.
I pray that your hand feels a little better each and every day! Just like my knee feels better week by week. I feared that I had to give up bowling it was so bad. I feared that my gardening would suffer, but thankfully an article on the internet advised me on how to use a heating pad. Slowly my knee came around. I can bowl again without the fear of my knee collapsing.
I didn't want to even consider surgery. That would cut into my "Orchid Addiction"!!!

Despite the surgeon's insistence that it will be my fault, if my hand stays this way if I don't bend the affected fingers totally down, several times a day, the hand neither flattens out or fingers respond. But, it doesn't stop me, little by little the whole hand "listens". I crochet and knit up a storm! I modified my grip.
I need to be able to lift with both hands, when it is time to move my stuff outside in a couple of months! I think I will be ok, except for about 5 or so truly heavy lifts!

I am glad for you to be able to move! It's a good thing!

Oh yes. That is true.
Initially when I contracted COVID, I knew it was going to be difficult to recover from. I totally under estimated its effects on me.
It left me with old muscles that needed to be built back up. Walking and doing my photography back and forth on a boardwalk has helped.
I see on tv that being too sedentary is the 'kiss of death' for us ultra experienced people ( I refuse to say old ). I am seeing that this is true. So look out backyard, I am walking more this summer and I am going to chase those Sandhill Cranes up and down the boardwalk at the Kensington Marsh!!!

Very true, Nick. I could have retired 10 years ago. But I really enjoy owning my own sign shop franchise. Something different everyday and there is not a lot of sitting around going on here. I have seen too many friends retire and kind of lose focus. And then they get into that sit and watch TV mode. Not happening here.

Hey Ted. Thanks for giving an opinion. I can remember feeling so bad for 2, 2 1/2 weeks with COVID, and that was November 2020. I felt like I had been hit by a truck and it came back and hit me again!!
It was such an effort to just to move, let alone accomplish anything.
It is an easy trap to fall into. But you have to fight it like you have by working. For me it was outdoor gardening, photography, bowling, any thing to get me moving. It seems like moving is the key.
That and keeping the mind active. An active mind, solving crossword puzzles, whatever you can do helps a great deal.
Growing orchids, observing the plants, posting images, making posts, it all adds up!