The Farmers Market

The sun shone as my husband and I drove downtown to the Farmers Market. Lots of people out and about, so we parked by the historic old church and walked for several blocks. We crossed the brick road and entered the market. We looked at cedar flower boxes, some rectangular and others for corners. We paused at the orchard table, purchasing an apple fritter and bottle of apple cider to share. We stopped by some hanging baskets and bought some pink and white impatiens. I couldn't resist the smell of the sweet basil and bought a pint of ripe red tomatoes. My mouth watered in anticipation of sweet basil, sliced tomato and feta cheese on a bagel. Coolers of iced fresh and smoked fish caught our eye! We bought one-half pound of whitefish. Photographs of historic city sites interested us! My husband found a framed print of the Arcade. A print of two fisher people in a boat interested me. It will be framed and ready in a week or so. A delightful visit to the market. A welcome distraction from the aggravations and disappointments of the branch flower shop move .

Stubborn

I am not sure that my husband acknowledges that he had a heart attack. I make healthy meals but he still yearns for the creamy, high sodium, fattening dishes that he sees on television. His heart medicine gives him headaches, so he has stopped taking it. He has made no effort to exercise. I am doing all that I can. I will not nag him and cause feelings of resentment. Why is he being so stubborn where his health and well being are concerned? I can't help feeling like I am hitting my head against a brick wall.

Trying to remain positive

For the past several weeks, I have been working at the branch store. It seems to me that business has been better. I have taken some orders and sold merchandise from the cooler and floor. We are in a shopping mall, and the landlord has refused to renew our lease and that of the dry cleaner next to us. Consequently, we have to relocate. The President of the company has a specific area in mind, but nothing is available. Timing is of the essence. As for me, I am trying to remain calm. It is difficult since I know that the other manager and I do not have hours at the main store, and that our customers will miss the convenience of the branch store. We are cleaning and packing closets and cupboards but in a discreet way. I am hoping that we will find a new location and be able to move there with little disruption to the business.

Extremes

Husband has been in the hospital for the last few days. He went in with chest pains, had a test, it was determined that he had no blockage. So for now waiting to hear from the doctor. He will come home tomorrow. I forgot to feed the dogs and wind the clock, small potatoes, I suppose, in the things, I could have forgotten. I need to recuperate from last weeks hecticness at the flower shop--an engagement party, senior prom and Mother's day. After working in close proximity to my coworkers, I could easily have bitten off their heads, but kept my mouth shut. I became impatient with the youthfulness of my coworkers. There are extremes--middle age or past middle age and barely out of teens.

Perfect Timing

Unless it is a busy floral holiday, only one sales associate is needed at the branch flower shop. I had been taking orders for corsages and boutonnieres all day yesterday, but after school was dismissed, eight or so high school students came into the store to place orders. They had been there only a minute, when the president of the company walked it. I commenced taking the first order, when an elderly gentleman entered. My boss offered to help him and wrapped a beautiful red rose and completed the sale. When the computer was free, I continued taking orders. The phone rang once, and our delivery man knocked on the back door. Slow and steadily, I entered the orders into the computer. The owner could not have come into the store at a better time! The store was full of customers and I was working efficiently to assist them. Makes me smile.

Special People

I must admit that I really look forward to Mothers Day for myself. It is a day focused on me, even more than my birthay is. Someone prepares a simple meal, my children extend happy wishes, sometimes I get gifts! I am happy because I feel appreciated. In these modern times, when men and women act as both mother and father, perhaps we should have just one day to honor those special men and women in our lives.