Mother's day is the magic day for planting and also buying flowers. This year it was perfect because of the rain that had softened the ground. It then let up just enough for planting on Sunday before it started again in the evening. Perfect!
In a recent survey (I think it was O Magazine) an overwhelming majority of mothers, more than 90 percent, receive flowers on Mother's Day. However almost no mother, when asked what they wanted on Mother's Day, listed flowers as their first choice. I think the better question would have been how many mothers, even if they did not want flowers, still were happy to get them. Flowers have come to be a symbol for Mother's Day and what mothers represent.
Fathers do not end up with many flowers...why not?
I ended up planting a rose bush on Sunday, a variety called 'About Face'. The world of rose varieties is overwhelming. I tend to go on appearance, then hardiness, which is how I chose this one. I like the peach and coral combination and the shape of the petals, which end in a point. They resemble lotus petals. The squirrels also love their aroma and taste. I have lost a few of the flowers to them within the past few days.
As I ran through the LES on Sunday afternoon, all of the corner deli florists on 2nd avenue were busy with lines of people in desperate need of flowers for their mothers. I stopped and took a few pictures at Sunny's which is around 6th street and 2nd.
Sunny's sophistication of color beats out other corner shops - the workers wear shades of blue that are offset by the warm oranges of the stand. They even have French doors that frame their cutting station. The containers of wheat grass out front also looked delicious in front of the orange. But what made me take notice was the line of tough guys all waiting to get bouquets.
This is a once a year opportunity. No matter how big and tough you may grow, you are still someone's little baby.
- Matt N.
So what was it that mothers actually wanted?
I didn't get flowers, by the way. I got a new platter to replace the one my kids had broken, which I had forgotten about, and a bowl and some corn-avocado salsa to go with it.
Every time there's a floral slideshow here I change my computer wallpaper. Today #2 won out. It was a toss-up between that and the unhappy candy corn.
You guys are so nice! I can't for the life of me remember where I saw that survey. I did a quick google search and found out that many of these have been done.
Here is a link to one article:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2004-05-04-mothers-day-matures_x.htm
It seems like validation and understanding are big winners, but Circuit City claims mothers also would like a digital camera :)
Also, the comments on the pictures have been encouraging. I recently changed cameras and have been edjusting to a Leica D-Lux 2. I wanted something teeny-tiny that would not break my back. As a result I now have this little camera with me almost wherever I go and it has been invaluable. I have been very, very happy with the photo quality. Sounds like viewers also think it has been doing an okay job.
Have a great weekend,
Matt
lovely pictures.
the petals in the first pictures look delicious.
My mom placed a moratorium on flowers/plants a few years back. Which is great, 'cause she'd let them die and sit in the fetid water forever. Wouldn't allow me to dump the water out even. I don't know for sure, but this seems to be an extension of her extreme "never refuse/return a gift" policy.
I never get her household stuff either. As a teen, I once bought her a nifty toaster. She expressed her outrage by throwing away the current one and refusing to allow anyone else use of the new one for several years. My friends told me there'd be hell to pay...
Oh, wallpaper! What a good idea.
Um, Matt, do you teach photography classes? I am ready to sign up.
Whenever I am walking around town and see pretty flowers, I always want to take pictures. Then I just think I'll wait until Matt's next post...as mine won't ever compare.