Well past noon, I leave the office to grab lunch down in the market. Ten minutes tops, I figure, to walk to Mee Sum Pastry, buy a steamed pork humbow, and get back to my desk. At the corner of 1st and Pine, I pass a woman carrying an armful of paper-wrapped pale pink blooms. Peonies! My 10-minute lunch plan is derailed. I walk the length of the flower-sellers’ aisle, breathing in that heady peony scent. Hundreds and hundreds of blooms; tight, tiny cabbages tucked under explosions of frilly petals. How many shades of pink do you think there are? A peony will show you one more. I buy half a dozen, and the pork bow.
I arrive back at my desk, cradling my own armful of flowers. My coworker Frank asks what they are. “Peonies,” I tell him. He’s not seen them before. (He is young.) “They smell wonderful,” I exclaim, thrusting the bouquet over the top of his computer monitor. He inhales, and smiles appreciatively.
“My girlfriend’s birthday is this weekend,” he muses. “I should get her flowers.”
“Great idea,” I respond. It never hurts to encourage right thinking.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
what a lovely photo! Peonies are my favorite!
The plaster makes a perfect background for those, and yes, gives the photo a painterly effect. Very nice.
Music and Cats and Flowers and Food and…what a treasure trove is your blog!
Peonies are my mom’s favorite.
That’s a wonderful photograph. I bought peonies not too long ago; it was the first time I’d ever seen any, too.
I never thought about people actually having to purchase peonies. Around here, everyone has some growing in their yards. In fact, you’ve inspired me to go pick some now…
Anyone lucky enough to be able to grow their own peonies should be required to do so!! Alas, our weather is too tropical for them. The pix is absoloutely stunning! I can almost smell them…..