My Favorite Things

1.    Wrinkled brown, textured wrapping paper from work.  I like to think it will be excellent used with paint or dye to freckle an interesting texture in my journal or on fabric.  At this moment, it is still coiled in the vase I used for my paperwhites in December.  Yes, the paper has been there for months.

2.    Seeing interesting people at work.  People I have met in other times of my life and enjoy seeing while I am at work.  Today I saw a charming woman from my quilting days.  A friend from my 2002 Master Gardener class.  And a friend and coworker from my days at the library.  This might be my very favorite part of working at the greenhouse.

3.    Creating a very beautiful dish garden for a Mother's Day gift (phone order) using a green Bonsai planter, several ferns, an African Violet and a carpet of Baby's Tears to cover the soil.  I sent it off to be delivered and an hour later the new Mom called to ask how to care for her new lovely garden.  It isn't often I get to speak to the person who received the gift I made.

4.    New flats of baby Bok Choy, Swiss Chard, Kale and Leeks have appeared in the open area between the big greenhouse and the annual house.  We haven't had these items before but they are often requested.  And we have little 3 packs for the gardener with a small garden (or small family).  All indicate a willingness to accommodate the individual interests of our customers.  And not just do "what has always been done".

5.    A phone message from my daughter with an indication that the lovely woman who cuts our hair (and whose place of business burned to the ground last month) is getting past the shock of her loss and may be able to cut our hair next week.  She has finally been able to go out and buy replacement supplies.  I think she is having trouble losing the wonderful old painted table that was her desk, the very large pot filled with exuberant asparagus fern (I think the loss of a beloved plant can be devastating) and the art that decorated the room.  You can buy more combs and scissors but you can't replace these things.

6.    A lunch date with a friend from my library days.  She has retired (leading the way into uncharted territory), plans to move and house sit near one of her favorite cousins.  Auspicious start to this new part of her life.  We will celebrate her retirement and her new life.  I am ever so happy for her good fortune!!!

&.    I am happy that my "plan" for my days at work is going better than expected.  I stay busy and away from the other employees.  There were some "issues" today that got me very cranky but it was my own fault for getting involved with coworkers.  Learning curve!