A couple of years ago, Kellee, who is one of my favorite (tongue firmly in cheek) “bloodletters” at the Woodbury branch of Memorial Blood Centers, told me about the spring time flower sale at the Ramsey County Correctional Facility at Lower Afton and Century Ave in nearby Maplewood, a couple of miles south of 3M world headquarters. We went over the next day and bought Mother’s Day flowers for our gang.
It was a great decision, and each year it’s becoming a tradition. Today we went over again, and if you’re still looking for some nice posies at a very affordable (and partially tax-deductible) cost, check them out.
(click to enlarge)

There’s nothing dramatic to this story.
Yes, the helpers are inmates, as polite and respectful as any you’d find in your usual retail outlet. Yes, they’re doing time for something or other. But no matter, they’re somebodies child and this is mothers day weekend. They made some mistake, and maybe the sentence will change their life….
And the flowers are, well, flowers, nicely put together, as in any greenhouse.
I haven’t inquired about the story behind this small treasure in our midst. There’s time to do that.
We’ve not regretted making purchases there…and now we notice that they’re going to do a fall season as well.
To our mind, it’s win all-around.
If you’re in the area, stop over, if for no other reason than to look around.

We give the big commercial establishments plenty of business. Once or twice a year at the Workhouse is very much worthwhile.