One thing I'm particularly enjoying about this year is the fact that I'm not still employed at the flower shop I worked at last year. I'm at a flower shop, but a different kind.

The one I was at last year does more business in the month of May than it does during Valentine's season. I've tried to explain to people that Valentine's is the biggest flower holiday, but May is the biggest month. Because they have such a high volume of memorial decorations both pre-made and custom, the store is like a madhouse during the last 2 weeks of May.

In contrast, I'm currently the only person at my store, and I'm typing a blog entry. It's much more peaceful. I'm looking out the window at the old man who lives across the street. He's raking in his garden. He plants a plethora of different vegetables every year. I think he's somewhere close to 80, but every day, he gets out there in his overalls and long sleeved shirt and straw hat and works his garden.

I think that's part of the peace.