Small towns and flowers...

 For our March birthdays, Rachel and I received some cash from my sister Donna to designated to buy pansies. I've been happily anticipating this delightful shopping errand, and today was the day. I stopped into a greenhouse that I've heard about but not visited previously. It was a happy discovery. 

The greenhouse is tucked behind an old farm house and a barn full of cows. Chickens were scratching around, and beautiful 7 Tree Pond sparkled brightly at the edge of acres of sloping pasture. There was a sign near the entrance that said something like, "Feel free to browse. We are around, call --- ---- when you are ready to check out." I stepped in and was immediately awash in solar-powered warmth and the heavy, marvelous scent of warm soil and growing plants. I inhaled deeply. Several times, and grinned as I gazed up and down the rows of greenery and blossoms. It was like fast-forwarding the season and it felt (and smelled) so good. 

There was a wonderful selection of pansies. I bought one package of every color, making sure I got some that had "little faces" because they were my grandfathers favorite. 

I filled an entire tray with bright blossoms and felt almost giddy as I carried them to the cash register. I hadn't seen another soul there while I shopped, but did notice there was a self-serve pay box. 

Businesses that offer this option always make me so happy, because they are a testament to the inherent goodness of humans, something that is easy to forget when listening to the news these days. They are common around where we live, so I frequently get that same happy feeling as I buy milk, or pies, or hand-crafted items near me. 

I was getting ready to tuck some cash into the box when someone appeared to check me out. We had a nice chat and I admired my purchase as I tucked the tray safely into my front seat. 

Yesterday was Easter Sunday and we woke up to hear our furnace making alarming noises and no hot water. We called the company that sells us fuel and installed that furnace and to my surprise, they sent someone right out. On a Sunday. On a holiday. He fought valiantly with the stubborn furnace and got everything working as it should before he left. Small towns and local companies, nothing better! Add some pansies and smiles abound.