On Flowers . . .

Today, my birthday, I received flowers...twice. And now I have flowers at home and in my classroom.

Much of my social circle here in Yokosuka whirls around about ten female teacher friends with an age range spanning four decades, 34 to 64. About a month ago seven of us had dinner together, and the conversation included a discussion about giving and receiving flowers. All except me declared that cut flowers are over-rated and that they did not really care to receive flowers any more because flowers never last that long anyway. Such practicality still eludes me. I love flowers and I so stated. On the street I slow my pace when passing a flower stand to better inhale the cocktail of aroma. When I can, I wander through a flower shop to bask in the ambiance of sight and scent. Okay, I even buy fresh flowers at the commissary, the NEX, and the Autoport, for goodness sake!

Well, the friends listened, and I have flowers on my birthday. They seduce my glance from any angle in the room, and I can smell a flower garden after the rain . . . almost!