Funtime, Playtime

It was another fun day at the Garden Center! I was greeted with "I'm really glad you're here, can you take over this project?"--which involved prolonged and complicated maneuvers switching out hanging baskets(LOTS of hanging baskets!) while serving as Information Central to every person who entered the gate. The questions ranged the entire gamut, from "which way are the perennials?" to "have you got anything for a mouse who's stealing all my marigolds?" I was so enthused about the guy's Smart Mouse (marigolds produce a natural insecticide, so Ms/Mr mousie's nest will be colorful and flea-free) that the gentleman relented, apologized for the sticky traps he'd set out, and bought another set of marigolds for the mouse. He's promised to come back and report on the progress of both the mouse and the new marigolds. Another gentleman took home two spectacular hibiscus as an apology for scaring the daylights out of his wife.--he came shopping in an arm brace, and lots of gauze pads stuck everywhere, including one particularly large one on his head. There were the people who got into a "my tomatoes are already producing edible fruit", and "so you think you're a real gardener" one-upmanship chat, talking trash with the best of them.--and then there was the Endless Afternoon of the Trops. We'd gotten in a shipment which were roasting in the parking lot. I nearly gave myself heat stroke hauling them in one pallet at a time while answering questions, making suggestions, and trying not to go face-down in the Sago palms. Meanwhile the Beautiful Young Things got to know each other better while avoiding hard labor. We do have quite a complement of attractive people of all persuasions working in the garden department this season. Beautiful flowers, plants, people, its a heady mix! I'm having a great time meeting my summer's goal of watering any associate who happens through the Garden Department. The word is getting around and a few of my early successes are making a point of happening through when the day gets hot. Ah, Life's Pleasures!