by Roslyn Ocionnaith

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 07, 2008

Being in ill health, studying organic horticulture and farming, notwithstanding the fact that I also have two dogs to care for and a garden to tend as well as household chores ... I sometimes find myself stressed out. So much to do! This leads to sudden trips to shops when I realize that I need something and decide to get it there and then.

Principles of organic gardening also involve making the work place (Vegetable plot) A fun place where one can, not only work! But also enjoy surroundings appealing to the eyes and the mind. Flowers are also a bonus because they attract butterflies and birds. Having worked jolly hard at my latest raised bed, I sat to look around. It looked OK but not good. I resolved to visit my garden centre and bring back a few flowers.

I walked around the aisles wondering what would look good in my garden. I spotted a large trolley full of geraniums. They were beautiful! I knew exactly where I would put them. A big smile on my face, I made my way to the trolley, picked them up and while doing so spotted a myosotis (Forget me not). I had long wanted one of them too so! Hey presto picked it up as well and relocated it in my trolley. I was onmy way to the till when I heard someone call "Excuse me". I paid no attention, too happy with my wonderful flowers. And as the same voice insisted "Excuse me" I thought to myself that whoever was being called was either being most ignorant not to reply or else stone deaf!

I was nearing the check out when someone patted my shoulder. I turned round to see a lady. She looked a little aggrieved. She explained that she had picked a lot flowers to put on a giant trolley, watched me help myself to some of her flowers and walk away. Imagine! Those flowers I so looked forward to re planting in my garden were someone else's?

I do believe my face turned a bright red. I apologized and brought the flowers back to her trolley. I did find another two geraniums if no forget-me-not! She had picked the last. Last week-end my boyfriend suggested we might take a trip to the garden centre, see if they had more forget-me-not? I declined. It will be a few weeks before I dare show my face there again!
I guess best bet would be to look out? See if same lady is there and if not! Run in, get what I need before running out again! However ... With my luck ... She might just walk in while I'm picking flowers!

One thing I learnt about this little incident is that ... When in the wrong! After all I had helped myself to her flowers! Explanations do not go down too well. if anything they make you appear more guilty than you are. I guess trying to tell her that I would not have picked her flowers, had they been in a trolley like mine, instead of big trolleys used by staff to replenish shelves! Made me look worse. I tried too hard to justify myself ended up becoming extremely trying to her! Oh dear!

Blond moment? No I'm not blond if I did bleach my hair for many years. I know! I'll put it down to stress.

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