Garden Club!

Last weekend I attended a ceramics workshop- two full days about glaze techniques. Everyone there, all experienced potters, learned some new techniques, and to all of us, it was a stop time experience. While eating lunch next to the grand kilns, I met two women who were from my small town in East Pasco. One of them, invited me to her garden club meeting (about orchids).
So, today, I went. I have been resisting these events for many years, but I am really interested in orchids and have many of them that bloom magnificently on schedule. My new friend, Kay, welcomed me and introduced me to the twenty or so women who were there. These women were between forty and one hundred years old (all of us sharp as tacks!) There was a huge spread for brunch. None of this new age stuff to eat; it was southern hospitality all the way with quiches, sweet stuff, fruit and strong coffee with real cream on the side. I dug in, hugely appreciative of all these calories after my lean breakfast at home of a piece of toast and a soy sausage. Hey!
I am bad at names and I am still trying to fix in my mind Marilyn, Beebee, Natalie, Betty, and so many others.
After the pledge to the flag and a definitely Christian prayer, we settled our ample bottoms on the folding chairs and prepared for the orchid demo. I was enthralled. Beebee, the presenter had plump healthy plants and some that were close to giving up. We learned ways of reviving them. We learned how to root prune and repot, what medium to use, and how to propagate the plants. I never got the chance to boast of my greatest horticultural event- the giant mutant cosmos that grew to twelve feet and bloomed incessantly from July through December. (see photo..)
This garden club is only a small part of the greater garden club, and each 'circle' (this one was the Hollyhock circle') has a special area of interest. This one mainly does fund-raising such as auctions and raffles and teas. Another circle does certain kinds of flowers, wild flowers, and there are circles that do vegetables, I was told.
Though I loved the orchid lady who spoke with authority and wicked humor, I was a bit of a fish out of water. I am not interested in fund-raising, I made the vow years ago that I would never cook like my proper Alabama mom who cooked everything white. I'm no good with teas and brunches, and I don't dress up.
Whatever circle I decide to join, it will be an adventure getting to know these good small town people who do what they can, give back what they got, and feel pleased they can do it. One of the Hollyhock gals who was at least 85, spends a morning a week cooking lunch at the local Hospice. These are the thousand points of light, and they are not dim bulbs. This small town is buzzing with volunteers; they are at Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, the Library, the local history museum, the schools, and of course, the churches.
I am working on accepting people right where they are, no need to go into politics, religion, sartorial issues or the trading of ancient recipes. I don't have to jump up with my latest neat idea about transforming anything. It's about finding common ground and sharing the enjoyment of plants. The giant cosmos has now produced hundreds of volunteer seedlings. I'll definitely share those.