A flower shop and a door lock in the midst of winter

There was a time when I actually liked all of the four seasons, but now since I own a small business, there is one season I do not get along with~ Winter...and it's not really the cold so much as the wind. My flower shop and I claim to be true, is on the windiest corner in Monmouth County. It could be the way my door is facing, (Northwest and caddy-corner) or it's my proximity to the Shark River. That wind in the winter shakes the door of my store HARD! Getting flowers out the door & into the FlowerJeep is a task. I have actually had stems snap off and the little cards flying down the highway. I warn my customers when they purchase an arrangement to hold it close to their body. If it is really windy out there I will run it out to their car myself. I have to wrap up arrangements to protect them from the wind and cold and the recipient must be home to accept the flowers. No one wants a frozen arrangement (although some of the wire services, proflowers,1-800. etc. think that's acceptable)...

...But let me get back to the door..This building that is the home of the Sparrows Nest was probably built somewhere in the early 50's, the door and the doorlock are proof of it. Never been changed, brass & cast iron.

So one bitter, windy,frigid February evening, about to head home, I go to lock the door...the deadbolt won't budge.I could not lock the door! For almost 14 years I have been locking and unlocking the door with never an issue. So after about a half hour, call my husband to come take a look at it, he is very mechanically inclined but he couldn't to get it to work either. So at 6 pm I call a locksmith. He takes it apart, which by the way, while he's working on it, the door is open. It's 18* and very windy. The lock itself could not be replaced due to the it and door being such an antique and thick & those parts aren't made anymore. There was more to this malfunction than adding graphite or wd-40, the deadbolt was bent. The locksmith was afraid to try to bend it back in fear it would be completely broken. My husband did 2 quick hits with a hammer and straightened it out...thank goodness!! I had visions of me sleeping on the counter to protect the shop. They eventually got it put back together..$220 later. We finally left the shop at 8:30 cold & frozen and hungry.

I will tell you one thing, on a February evening when I am ready to go home and that lock works I will always be grateful. (I will always be grateful everyday)

So I am not friends with winter. I will plod thru it. My soul has a never ending summer within it...just wish it kept me warmer that night.

So my blogpeeps, in closing, I hope your locks turn smoothly and you are warm and cozy.

Carpe diem friends!

(I am thinking of doing a blog every week. Are you in? Do you like it?)

www.sparrowsnestflorist.com