Christmas Roses

You know you're in Santa Maria when...

Mom and I just got home from last minute Christmas shopping. We were pulling up to my parent's house and noticed two figures emerging from a SUV. The two men had on hooded sweatshirts and looked a little suspicious (though there was a cute baby inside the car). "What is this, a stake out??" I asked my mom. I got out of the car, flashed my most welcoming smile (I'm all about making would-be robbers feel sorry for their would-be crimes) and said sweetly, "May I help you?" They asked if I spoke espanol and I said no. This, technically, is true but I can understand perfectly. Then, I had the surprise of my life. The men took out their wallets and asked for some white roses (in Spanish, of course). They wanted Christmas roses for their sweethearts! My mom went inside and grabbed her garden clippers and I started inspecting the bushes for the prettiest white flowers and buds. They tried to pay, but of course we didn't take it. We were being neighborly. In this season, stop and smell the roses!