If you are looking for creativity, ask a florist. Today is a good example. I came into work and was making my first arrangement of the day when I hear a noise behind me, drip…drip…drip… Outside it is raining and there is slush everywhere. I look up and there is water leaking from the ceiling. My able assistant has just walked in the door and tosses a towel to me as I protect our main computer printer from water damage with the sleeve of my sweatshirt.

Out with the ladder, The ceiling tile is removed to the side and there is the culprit. A hole in the new aluminum roof. Water is dripping in at a good pace now. In the flower business we work with a putty called “florist’s clay or “stick-em”. Usually used to attach flower arrangements to candelabras and glass vases, this time we give it a new function…plug for leak in roof. We get a long stick and place some on the end of a nail and jam it in the offending hole. We are now dry. Our electrical bank of lights safe from blowing out and all is well at Petals and Stems Florist.

1001 uses…Stick-em. Now 1002.

Halelujah!

Jeff Leatham is coming to The Learning Channel with Flowers Uncut tomorrow, November 4^th at 10PM. This is important in that it will bring flowers and an understanding of them and the workings of them to the public.

We have had every kind of show from cooking, cake, catering hall, real housewife, haircutter, and now, finaly a FLORIST. Petals and Stems is wishing Jeff the BEST in his new endeavor. Watch and explore. Barbara Cohen, owner of Petals and Stems is former Adjunct Professor at Rockland Community College. Should you have any questions about anything you see on the show, feel free to call 845-426-0200 or email Barbara@PetalsandStemsFlorist.com.

A Bonus Today

Three weeks ago I had a few stems of cockscomb flowers left in the flower shop I hung them upside down on a peg. Today I came back to them and on the shelf below, I discovered a bonus. Little black seeds. I have since collected the seeds and put them in little envelopes, marking them with the name “Cockscomb”. I look out the window today as it snows and look forward to the warm day next spring when I can drop them into the ground, water them with love and wait for them again to flower and bring me happiness.

A bonus for buying flowers. Not only did they make me happy for the time I had them but also I know the offspring will bear flowers and continue to spread joy in the world.

In these challenging economic times, cutting out all the luxuries makes for very unhappy campers.  How do I know? I was at my local shopping mall this weekend and looking at the faces of the people walking around, they are not looking very enthusiastic or upbeat.  More importantly, they were not carrying many shopping bags.

I have a suggestion to contribute to the well being of the world.  I am a florist.  It is my contention that flowers are a very inexpensive form of therapy.  Am I suggesting you should stop taking your anti depressant or cancel your appointment with your psychotherapist by substituting them with a bunch of tulips?  I am not.  What I am prescribing is you should include flowers in your life and in the lives of those you love.  Yes, I am suggesting that you start giving flowers to friends.  If you are not receiving them, you should be buying them for yourself. 

Many report that giving flowers feels better than getting them.  Not sure, try it.   So go out and make someone’s day.   Say, “I care” with flowers.  Say, “I love you” with flowers.  Express sympathy with flowers.  Give flowers just because.  Make your day and the day of those you care about and love by giving and receiving flowers.  A simple florists contribution to making the world a better and more joyful place.