The Flower Bed

Mattress-with-flowers
Photos and text by: Corey Amaro

Last night, the first gentle spring evening of the year, I sat on the park bench with Annie. We chatted about this, that and the other… the other being my American friend and her very new French boyfriend.

Annie grabbed my hand and asked, "How is the match-making-romance going?"

"Oh, today they were suppose to have brunch- but he over slept, and didn't call until late this afternoon."

"What was he thinking? Men they are all alike, aren't they?" She shook her head as if disagreeing.

"Yeah, she was pretty sad at first. Though he is there now apologizing."

"Oh, well that is good. Did he bring flowers or something?"

"No. He didn't. Gee Annie, I thought the same thing! We think alike you and me!"

"Yeah… too bad men don't. Men they never change from generation to generation, the same old story isn't it?" Annie continued without waiting for me to answer, "Is he staying at her
house tonight?"

Flower-bed

I raised my eyebrows wondering where that came from. I remained silent for one second too long and before I could say anything Annie answered, "Hey, they are both older, both alone…. you know!" Then she tapped my arm as if I were a child, "I am not too old that I don't remember a thing or two about sex, you know."

"I know. But I don't think she wants that just yet." I winked without meaning too.

She shrugged, as if to say, "I don't believe you," then under her breath she added with a sly smile, "I beat he wishes he brought flowers!"

"Annie!" Then I shook my head back, laughed out loud, and thought to myself, "Flower bed."

__________________________

Annie turned ninety-one the other day!



Comments

48 responses to “The Flower Bed”

  1. I think I have a boy friend for Annie…his name is Jean and he’s 88 and is always flirting with me, he wishes I wasn’t married. I’ll have to tell him about Annie!

  2. I sure hope for the poor girl that the lad turns out to be better than the impression he has made so far! 😉
    Happy belated birthday, Annie!
    May all your days be full of joy and love!
    N.B.:
    Whatever happened to that other romance?
    Is it over?

  3. Happy Birthday to Annie!
    : )
    Julie M.

  4. Julie Ann Evins

    Annie is just the coolest ever, why on earth do we treat the old as stupid. Annie is all the way there and half the way back, we should look and learn. Hope she features in your book Corey. Where did you & Yann find for lunch a deux yesterday ? Miss you, Jx

  5. Happy Birthday to a wonderful woman. I love picturing the two of you there sharing such delightful moment as you’ve painted with your words, Corey.

  6. (0) (0) (0) (0) (0)
    V V V V V
    >XXXXX< ***********a bed of roses*** are not all they are surpose to be.. My husband of 18years was a naughty beast of a man. I received many roses. Not a lot of charm, fool me. My honey of 4 years brought me flowers for the second time yesterday...For no particular reason. Later that evening when I slid my arms around from behind his fragrant neck to just love. he whispers....I love you honey......... thank you for letting me share... I am very grateful for the choices I now make.........

  7. Marie-Noëlle

    I’ve already told you Annie reminds me of my gran who would be 94 ! She used to love holding people’s hands (as if to make sure they would understand – or feel – her words
    better).
    I guess Annie is the same. I’d love to hold her hand and tell her a few strokings or to stroke her a few words …

  8. Happy Birthday Annie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Can’t wait to know more about it ? Is Mimi involved in that story ??

  10. I want to be Annie! I so hope the years, that are now flying, are as kind to me as they have been to your Annie. A keen and active mind is a blessing and how beautiful for you to have her as a friend!

  11. Happy Birthday Annie. I hope you had a great day!!!!!!

  12. God bless darling Annie and her wisdom
    I love these postings about her so much
    YOu must get a picture of her in her earrings
    dangling ones
    Celebrate life with Annie all you can
    She is so precious
    Tell her I wished her Happy Birthday
    Love and hugs to you all
    Jeanne

  13. Thank heaven for the strong bonds between women! You are fortunate to have her friendship.

  14. Julie Loeschke

    I used to own a flower shop and had a customer who from time to time would send his wife roses. Theirs was a contentious marriage. So, every time I would think; make-up flowers. In the flower business you see a lot of that.:) Sadly, they later divorced. Probably better for them, but not for business. (Just kidding). About that mattress.Are even mundane things in France made so beautiful? Happy Birthday,Dear Annie!

  15. I live to hear Annie stories. You just never know what she’s going to say. Happy Belated Birthday Annie. Oh, I bet she could share a thing or two about sex…..too cute.

  16. That Annie! I love her and her stories. Happy Belated Birthday!

  17. . . . and yet, at 91, even more lessons from Annie.

  18. Lorelei Lane

    Aaahh the wisdom of Annie!! Happy Birthday! More pictures please! My mama is 92 and she is a wise woman, too. I love how mama’s eyes twinkle when she says something a little brazen!! Mama tells us the angels are tickling her toes…. Mama never goes anywhere without her jewelry and a lipstick in her pocket… how about Annie?

  19. I love Annie!!!

  20. I agree with Theresa. All women should have at least on close bond with another woman. Many would be better. Happy Belated Birthday to Annie – feel like I know her after all these years – in this strange and delightful world of the the blog.

  21. Annie, what a scamp…or perhaps vamp.
    She is right….men are linear thinkers…also referred to as ‘one track’…hmmm.

  22. Natalie Thiele

    Happy birthday Annie!

  23. Nancy from Mass

    Happy Birthday to Annie!
    If only the kids of today would sit and speak with an older person, for just a little while, they would learn so much. Of course, we’d have to take away their cell phones to get them to actually pay attention! (No, my son does not have a cell phone! – although he does like to sit and listen…)

  24. most happy (belated) birthday wishes to Annie!!

  25. Happy birthday to Annie!
    So good to hear that she is doing well!

  26. Please pass on the best of birthday wishes to Annie……

  27. Annie is one hip girl! I love the bed photo!!
    Nancy

  28. Men are men the world over (having dated Americans AND a Frenchman, this I know). I hope your fried’s works out better than mine have!
    Happy birthday to Annie. My lovely little neighbor Ethel just turned 91 as well. It’s like having a treasure next door.

  29. Bon anniversaire, Annie!
    Farmboy Husband was late for our first “real” date, phoned to explain that he’d been BECALMED IN THE MIDDLE OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY — not your run-of-the-mill alibi, and one that my mother deemed suspect.
    Turned out to be true. though: FH had just gotten home from a balmy Saturday afternoon of sailing with frat bros., still had to shower and shampoo away the salt spray, then dress and drive over to get me. While it was an inauspicious start to our relationship — and after one free pass, he made a real effort not to be tardy on future dates — things all worked out well ultimately :-)))

  30. christine

    I wish I had a friend like Annie…..The happiest of birthday wishes to her.
    Christine

  31. I adore your conversations with Annie; it reminds me of similar ones with my darling mother-in-law and mother. I miss those eye-opening chats 😉

  32. Happy Belated birthday to Annie. I love her wisdom. I wish she lived in my neighborhood. I lost my Annie (Bev) 3 years ago. I still think of her everyday. One time she came over and my husband told her I was not home and asked if she would like to come in. She said ” No I don’t trust myself being alone with such a handsome young man.” Bev later told me she really dosen’t trust herself with handsome young men. Flattered my husband who is approaching 60. I guess he is my HYM. Celebrate everyday you can with Annie and we will live vicariously through you Corey. Thank you so much.

  33. I ADORE Annie. Kiss her cheek for me, please.

  34. What a dear friend you have in Annie. She is a jewel. My vision when you mentioned the flower bed was a gorgeous bed sprinkled with red rose petals and a single red rose laying on the pillow. Good luck to new romance.

  35. Annie is soul sista # 1 and you two are so lucky to have one another…whose little bed? yours or hers… Yeah, the dude shoulda brought flowers, candy, champagne and a condom…oops! Annie told me to say that…Well Corey, I think by now you know I have to go for the laugh or the shock or whatever…..Thank you so very much for everything you do …with love and admiration to one of my best mentors/role models out there….Luv Ya Corey…

  36. I LOVE Annie! I wish I had an “Annie” in my life…Belated birthday wishes to her!

  37. Minodora

    Happy birthday Annie!She is a nice chick and a lovely lady!her stories are great.:* :*

  38. Happy Birthday Annie!
    I saw your Mother last week at the store….gave her a hug and money and purchase some nice things in return!

  39. Happy Belated Birthday, Annie! I hope it was as wonderful as you are!
    What a treasure each of you have in one another.

  40. Annie, many birthday wishes coming to you from Massachusetts in good old New England!!!… Donna

  41. jend’isère

    poppies, flower beds…Spring fever in the air. One would think you would continue with a botanical theme today, but I’m challenged by guessing what you write of a completely different theme.

  42. Well, when I saw flower bed,the first thing was a real bed with flowers in it. They do that in Maine. It is a hoot to see a real bed in the yard with flower’s
    This story is so cute. Flower’s go a long way don’t they? Wish you friend Annie a great birthday. I MYSELF HAVE HAD MY FILL OF MEN.NO MORE EVER, EXCEPT MAYBE MY DOCTOR.

  43. I want to be Annie when I’m her age…she’s just so sweet! I love the twinkle in her eyes LOL! Happy Belated Birthday Annie!

  44. I love your Annie stories. This one was beautiful, and charming. Aaaahhhh…spring and new love. the best… – Kathy

  45. HaHa. Please please tell Annie Happy Birthday from across the sea. I hope one day to visit you and yours in Provence and especially Annie. But you will have to warn her that I am a hugger and I am afraid I would just want to grab her and hug her like I know her because of all you have shared about her. She is a jewel and you are blessed in this dear friendship….and so is she.

  46. Each and every person is in our life for some reason we may not understand right from the start. I am glad Annie is in your life and now mine through you. It seems as we age in life we lose contact (physical and emotional) with others and we need touch to thrive. You touch my heart every day. Thank you. Happy day to the world rejoicing in the life that is called Annie.

  47. Well now we know. You are simply a gifted artist with the camera. I am thrilled to know that you did not study photography, or are on a first name basis with aperture, shutter speed, ISO’s etc. YEA. You give me courage to just go out and shoot. Thank you. And keep those absolutely gorgeous photos coming. They delight me each day.

  48. I hope Annie had the happiest of birthdays .. she’s such a lovely spirited lady.

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