2008 Woodie Awards
I lived Saunoris'
Kevin Kenealy/Pounce Editor
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Writers Outlet
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Everytime I walked out of there I felt like I put in a 110 percent.
I started working at Saunoris' about a week following quitting my varsity high school baseball team my junior year of high school. It was a crossroads in my life. I mean I played baseball for 17 years and was scheduled to be a top pitcher at H.L. Richards High School.
However, the work somehow served as a way for me to forget my past life of school and baseball and begin a new one - a workingman's life.
Saunoris' is a family-owned garden center in my hometown of Chicago Ridge, Ill. There were a few other places I checked out before coming to Saunoris' for work, but this was the only place that called me back. I was so grateful, my first real job.
Since I left last winter I must have had five dreams about the place. I wonder if I would have had these visions that first day of work, sweeping floors in the "Bubble," or the main commercial greenhouse.
As in the 1960s Zombies song, work really depended on the time of the season. Spring was a time to get ready for summer, summer for fall, and well, you get the idea. You had to like to work outside and you couldn't be afraid of a little hard work.
There were days I was told to water the back greenhouses, in the summer when the temperature outside was 80 degrees-plus. So that means inside the temperature reached nearly unbearable temperatures. All you wanted was a little water and while you had plenty of it, it was for the flowers.
I would be halfway through watering in the back greenhouse - the place where our goods are self-grown; the place where customers aren't allowed and where employees rarely venture. Except for me. I was there checking the water as often as I blink.
Halfway through, I notice there's still an army of thirsty flowers left in the immense heat, calling for the hose. I stop for a moment, take the flower's life support and turn it to myself. Ahhhhhh. That's better; at least it will keep me cool for about 15 minutes.
I started working at Saunoris' about a week following quitting my varsity high school baseball team my junior year of high school. It was a crossroads in my life. I mean I played baseball for 17 years and was scheduled to be a top pitcher at H.L. Richards High School.
However, the work somehow served as a way for me to forget my past life of school and baseball and begin a new one - a workingman's life.
Saunoris' is a family-owned garden center in my hometown of Chicago Ridge, Ill. There were a few other places I checked out before coming to Saunoris' for work, but this was the only place that called me back. I was so grateful, my first real job.
Since I left last winter I must have had five dreams about the place. I wonder if I would have had these visions that first day of work, sweeping floors in the "Bubble," or the main commercial greenhouse.
As in the 1960s Zombies song, work really depended on the time of the season. Spring was a time to get ready for summer, summer for fall, and well, you get the idea. You had to like to work outside and you couldn't be afraid of a little hard work.
There were days I was told to water the back greenhouses, in the summer when the temperature outside was 80 degrees-plus. So that means inside the temperature reached nearly unbearable temperatures. All you wanted was a little water and while you had plenty of it, it was for the flowers.
I would be halfway through watering in the back greenhouse - the place where our goods are self-grown; the place where customers aren't allowed and where employees rarely venture. Except for me. I was there checking the water as often as I blink.
Halfway through, I notice there's still an army of thirsty flowers left in the immense heat, calling for the hose. I stop for a moment, take the flower's life support and turn it to myself. Ahhhhhh. That's better; at least it will keep me cool for about 15 minutes.
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Aunt Nancy
posted 10/22/07 @ 3:49 PM CST
Kevin: I enjoyed your article about Saunoris which is in our area you are a great writer Congratulations
Love, Aunt Nancy
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