{"id":39457,"date":"2021-12-21T12:02:35","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T20:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/?p=39457"},"modified":"2021-12-27T11:46:57","modified_gmt":"2021-12-27T19:46:57","slug":"decembers-solstice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/21\/decembers-solstice\/","title":{"rendered":"December&#8217;s Solstice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Trichoglottis_philippinensis_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39475 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Trichoglottis_philippinensis_1000px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Trichoglottis philippinensis, orchid species flower, Philippine native orchid, dark purple hot pink yellow and white flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Trichoglottis_philippinensis_1000px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Trichoglottis_philippinensis_1000px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Trichoglottis_philippinensis_1000px-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Trichoglottis_philippinensis_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Holcoglossum_wangii_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39466 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Holcoglossum_wangii_1000px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Holcoglossum wangii, orchid species flower, China and Vietnam native orchid, white yellow and purple flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Holcoglossum_wangii_1000px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Holcoglossum_wangii_1000px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Holcoglossum_wangii_1000px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Holcoglossum_wangii_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phragmipedium_Hanne_Popow_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39472 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phragmipedium_Hanne_Popow_1000px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Phragmipedium Hanne Popow, Lady Slipper, Phrag, orchid hybrid flower, pink white and yellow flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phragmipedium_Hanne_Popow_1000px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phragmipedium_Hanne_Popow_1000px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phragmipedium_Hanne_Popow_1000px-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phragmipedium_Hanne_Popow_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The winter solstice is a glass-half-full or half-empty issue. It&#8217;s easy to lament the shortest day with the least light, but also easy to celebrate the increased light after today.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Renanthera_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39473 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Renanthera_1000px-128x85.jpg\" alt=\"Renanthera orchid flowers, bright red and yellow flowers, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"85\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Renanthera_1000px-128x85.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Renanthera_1000px-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Renanthera_1000px-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Renanthera_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_kingianum_Beni_Otome_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39464 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_kingianum_Beni_Otome_1000px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Dendrobium kingianum 'Beni Otome', orchid species flowers and buds, purple and white flowers, variegated leaves, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_kingianum_Beni_Otome_1000px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_kingianum_Beni_Otome_1000px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_kingianum_Beni_Otome_1000px.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_1_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39467 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_1_1000px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Masdevallia orchid flower, purple and yellow flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_1_1000px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_1_1000px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_1_1000px.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Sobralia_macrantha_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39474 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Sobralia_macrantha_1000px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Sobralia macrantha, orchid species flower, large purple flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Sobralia_macrantha_1000px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Sobralia_macrantha_1000px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Sobralia_macrantha_1000px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Sobralia_macrantha_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_2_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39468 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_2_1000px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Masdevallia orchid flower, possibly Masdevallia princeps, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_2_1000px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_2_1000px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Masdevallia_2_1000px.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phalaenopsis_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39471 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phalaenopsis_1000px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Phalaenopsis orchid flowers, Moth Orchid, Phal, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phalaenopsis_1000px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phalaenopsis_1000px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phalaenopsis_1000px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Phalaenopsis_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With the assistance of a few extraordinary orchids, I&#8217;m voting for the optimistic, glass-half-full version of things. These brilliant blooms from an old orchid show help to illuminate and commemorate today&#8217;s solstice. They are each marvels of nature, just like the cycles of the seasons themselves. Happy holidays. May the new year bring brighter times.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Cirrhopetalum_rothschildianum_Red_Chimney_FCC_AOS_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39462 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Cirrhopetalum_rothschildianum_Red_Chimney_FCC_AOS_1000px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Bulbophyllum rothschildianum 'Red Chimney' FCC\/AOS, AKA Cirrhopetalum, orchid species flowers, Daisy Orchid, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Cirrhopetalum_rothschildianum_Red_Chimney_FCC_AOS_1000px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Cirrhopetalum_rothschildianum_Red_Chimney_FCC_AOS_1000px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Cirrhopetalum_rothschildianum_Red_Chimney_FCC_AOS_1000px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Cirrhopetalum_rothschildianum_Red_Chimney_FCC_AOS_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Oncidium_Moon_Shadow_Tiger_Tail_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39469 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Oncidium_Moon_Shadow_Tiger_Tail_1000px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Oncidium Moon Shadow 'Tiger Tail', orchid hybrid flowers, yellow white and brown flowers, Dancing Lady Orchid, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Oncidium_Moon_Shadow_Tiger_Tail_1000px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Oncidium_Moon_Shadow_Tiger_Tail_1000px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Oncidium_Moon_Shadow_Tiger_Tail_1000px.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_cuthbertsonii_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39463 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_cuthbertsonii_1000px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, orchid plant, orchid flowers and leaves, pink and orange flowers, miniature orchid, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_cuthbertsonii_1000px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_cuthbertsonii_1000px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_cuthbertsonii_1000px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Dendrobium_cuthbertsonii_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Paphiopedilum_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39470 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Paphiopedilum_1000px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Paphiopedilum flower, Lady Slipper orchid, Paph, side view of flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Paphiopedilum_1000px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Paphiopedilum_1000px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Paphiopedilum_1000px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Paphiopedilum_1000px.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Vanda_coerulescens_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39476 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Vanda_coerulescens_1000px-85x128.jpg\" alt=\"Vanda coerulescens, orchid species flowers, bluish-purple and white flowers, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"85\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Vanda_coerulescens_1000px-85x128.jpg 85w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Vanda_coerulescens_1000px-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Vanda_coerulescens_1000px.jpg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 85px) 100vw, 85px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Epicattleya_Fascination_1000px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-39465 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Epicattleya_Fascination_1000px-85x128.jpg\" alt=\"Epicattleya Fascination, orchid hybrid flower, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"85\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Epicattleya_Fascination_1000px-85x128.jpg 85w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Epicattleya_Fascination_1000px-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Epicattleya_Fascination_1000px.jpg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 85px) 100vw, 85px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The winter solstice is a glass-half-full or half-empty issue. It&#8217;s easy to lament the shortest day with the least light, but also easy to celebrate the increased light after today. With the assistance of a few extraordinary orchids, I&#8217;m voting for the optimistic, glass-half-full version of things. These brilliant blooms from an old orchid show [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-photos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39457"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39504,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39457\/revisions\/39504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}