February 17, 1964
Valentine's Day was last Friday. The day when everybody goes bonkers for love. At least everybody but Wes and me. He says folks are just having "heart" trouble and it's trouble he intends to stay out of. I wouldn't mind having a box of chocolates but not if I have to put up with a boy to get them. Wes says I'll change my mind any day now about boys since I'm thirteen, but I'm doubting it. But somebody in Hollyhill must be having "head" trouble. Zella got flowers. On Valentine's Day. Zella! You know Zella. She's the woman who has been working at the newspaper office since forever. Dad says he couldn't get out the paper without her, but sometimes I think he should try. I admit that Zella is a whiz on the typewriter. Not only that, she can tell from the sound of the coins people drop in the dish on the counter when they come in to pick up a paper if they're paying the full twenty-five cents. It's on the honor system, but Zella's stares have a way of keeping everybody honorable.
I'd have thought Zella gave herself those flowers, but I was there when the flower shop owner brought them in. She was as flustered as I've seen her since a mouse made a nest in her bottom desk drawer. She blamed that on Wes. Said he left the back door open too much. And she didn't care how hot it got in the press room. Doors should be shut. I don't think she'll be blaming these flowers on Wes. She must have a secret admirer in Hollyhill. So I guess this proves Wes was right. There are strange things in Hollyhill. Zella having an admirer of any kind, secret or otherwise, is more than strange.
Maybe this is a mystery I need to get to the bottom of. Maybe you can help me out. Have you ever been surprised by something from a secret admirer?
Oh, and remember to leave a comment so you can get your name in the drawing to win a copy of Scent of Lilacs. If you read that you'll understand why I'm so surprised Zella got flowers. On Valentine's Day!
In college, I worked at a grocery store. Twice, I had guys give me a bouquet of flowers. One asked for a date, the other was just drunk (I think). Not really secret admirers, but close.
ReplyDeleteHi Jocie (Ann), One time I was in charge of the Secret Sisters program at our church. Everyone had a secret sister but me 'cause I coordinated the program and kept the sisters secret! For one year every once in awhile I would get a card or gift and didn't know who sent it...some of the ladies had gotten together and were surprising me! What fun they had and me, too! Some day Jocie, you'll understand all that Valentine's stuff but I think it's important to celebrate Valentine's Day every day with your loved ones! Have a blessed week! Linda
DeleteLinda, Jocie here. I made my dad a Valentine and I gave Wes his favorite chocolate bar. But those flowers still have me puzzled. But maybe you've figured out the mystery for me. Maybe Zella's church has a Secret Sister thing. I'll have to ask her. That would be easier to believe than a romantic secret admirer. Way easier!
DeleteHi, Denise. Glad you came over to comment on Jocie's blog. Hope you thought it was fun. Sounds as if your encounters with almost secret admirers didn't turn out too well. But at least you got flowers out of the deal. You must have been charming all the customers. :)
DeleteHi Jocie! Have you noticed anyone different hanging out around the newspaper office lately? Or maybe some older man who has no wife that just might have an eye for ms. Zella, tho it might seem strange to you? I have gotten surprise flowers several times but was from family or friends. No man! I came home once and there was a box of Tulips that had come in the mail. I was very surprised that flowers ever came that way. And, it was a hot day, so thought they would be all wilted. Maybe even dead! To my surprise they were in great shape and had a pretty vase to put them in. there was a cute pair of ladybug stuffies holding hearts, to fasten around the vase. So pretty. And, I still have the ladybugs, about 8 inches tall in my living room. They had come all the way from a niece in Arizona. A BIG surprize! I would love one of those books. Talk to you later, and hope you solve that question you have about Zella. Maxie
ReplyDeleteJocie here, Maxie. You must not know Zella. Nobody would have eyes for her! Well, Daddy would say Jesus loves her and I guess he does since he loves everybody. Daddy also tells me that I need to love Zella if I want to be the right kind of Christian. I guess I'm going to have to work on that, but I have to say it doesn't seem like she's working on it much in my direction. Anyway, maybe one of her cousins sent Zella those flowers just to make her wonder. I like tulips and ladybugs. I wouldn't mind getting those kind of surprise flowers!
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