The amount of laughs and giggles the following statement brings about is amazing.
“I have to go do the church flowers”
I have uttered this sentence a few times recently and brought much hilarity to others lives!
Firstly, let me say I am not religious.
We do have a lovely, tiny church right next door to us which I generally only go to on Christmas morning!
So why do I do the flowers…. because a neighbour asked me to help out with the ‘Altar Society’. I know I still have to learn to say ‘no’. But what would you do? We live in a small community and I do it to be neighbourly and part of the community. It is only for 2 months of the year – it seems I get to do March and September.
Carmel and I have a good system working now. Carmel hates doing the flowers – so she cleans and tidies – and I do the flowers.
I do wish I had more flowers in my garden though. I am working on it! I refuse to go buying flowers, so I scour my own garden and the hedgerows every week.
There has been lots of honeysuckle, montbretia and fuschia this month. I’ve even been known to use the flowers from the broccoli that has bolted 🙂
And just to prove how un-religious I am…. I got a bit of telling off in March when I put flowers in the church. Seemingly you are not supposed to put flowers in church during Lent….. one should wallow in total misery!!!
So I’ve learned something new!
So while I am doing the Church Flowers for non-religious, neighbourly reasons…. I am bringing much fun and laughter into friends’ lives too!
A Year In Redwood 
Wow – I had no idea you were not allowed to put flowers in church during lent … and yes- it did make me giggle thinking of you and your infrequent church going. But you are right — it is a very nice thing to do in your community Margaret.
Mona, isn’t it such a silly rule…. you must have complete misery! My church duties are making lots of people giggle! Sure tis why I do it!
M
Interesting how both you and Dee Sewell from Greenside Up are on the same track. Dee covered bolting and what it means http://greensideup.ie/bolting-vegetables/ and here you are using bolted flowers from your broccoli in your floral arrangements which are only gorgeous. Learning to say no is hard but surely this ‘chore’ brings you great joy? 🙂
Absolutely Ena! It can be a challenge sometimes to find enough… but still it is enjoyable.
Margaret
Instead of telling you off, they could have simply removed the flowers and very gently let you know that they are not permitted during Lent. I think it is wonderful that you give of your time and your garden to help bring a bit of colour to the Sunday parishioners.
Oh Paula, there are some very silly rules indeed! I did laugh though, as the person doing the ‘telling off’ knows me and should have just given me a call!