AND FRIENDS OF NCI] GOOD MORNING.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

IT'S ABOUT 9:00 ON A VERY HOT AND SUNNY THURSDAY MORNING.

I'M HERE IN SOUTH PASADENA WITH MY NEW FRIEND, MIRIAM SPAULDING.

MIRIAM AND I ARE GETTIN' READY TO GO TO WORK.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, ISN'T IT?

>> OF COURSE.

Huell: GO TO WORK?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

HERE WE GO.

I'M FOLLOWIN' YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO THROUGH HERE.

Huell: THIS IS--LOOK AT THIS FRONT YARD.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY FILLED WITH ROSE BUSHES, AND WE'RE HEADIN' RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF 'EM HERE WITH MIRIAM.

THIS IS--MIRIAM, THIS IS YOUR NORMAL... >> THIS IS WHAT I DO EVERY MORNING.

Huell: THIS IS YOUR NORMAL ROUTINE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NOW THIS IS ONE YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE, AND WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE PARTY TODAY.

Huell: A PARTY?

>> YEAH, HERE'S A PARTY.

Huell: OH.

>> GARDEN PARTY.

Huell: I SEE.

>> THAT'S GARDEN PARTY.

WE'LL PICK THAT.

Huell: OH, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL ROSE.

>> ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

Huell: BOY, LOOK AT THAT ROSE.

LOOK AT THAT, LOUIE.

THAT'S THE VERY FIRST ROSE.

THAT IS A BEAUTY.

>> THERE'S A TOUCH OF PINK, AS THOUGH SOMEONE PUT A LITTLE BIT OF PINK AROUND THERE.

Huell: NOW, WHAT DO YOU HAVE THE SHOVEL FOR?

>> I HAVE THE SHOVEL SO THAT--THERE MIGHT BE TIMES TO REACH IN-- Huell: OH, I SEE, AND PULL ONE OUT.

>> NOW, FOR INSTANCE, THAT TIFFANY THERE.

IF WE WERE GONNA PICK THAT, I WOULD USE THAT.

Huell: DO YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU?

>> I DON'T THINK WE WILL DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

Huell: WHAT ABOUT ONE OF THESE?

>> YES, WE'RE GOING TO PICK SEVERAL OF THOSE, HUELL.

I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT I DO WITH THE SHOVEL.

I TAKE IT LIKE THIS, AND I'VE GOT SOMETHING SOLID TO HOLD ONTO.

Huell: I SEE.

>> OK, NOW, LET'S SEE.

AT THE ANGLE OF 5 LEAVES, LIKE THAT, WE PUT IT... Huell: I'LL HELP YOU PUT IT IN THERE.

>> OK. NOW, THIS ONE HAS 2 ON IT, SO WE'LL PICK THAT.

Huell: OH, BOY.

>> THIS IS CALLED DOUBLE DELIGHT.

YOU SEE THE 2 COLORS ON IT?

Huell: MM-HMM.

BOY, WE PRETTY MUCH PICKED THIS ONE CLEAN.

>> VERY POPULAR.

VERY, VERY POPULAR ROSE.

MOST GARDENS HAVE DOUBLE DELIGHT.

ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

Huell: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN GROWIN' ROSES?

>> UM, IT'S BEEN ABOUT 60 YEARS.

Huell: 60 YEARS?

>> I DON'T MEAN 60.

1960.

1960.

Huell: WELL, THAT'S 37 YEARS.

>> 37 YEARS THAT I MOVED INTO THIS HOUSE, AND I TOOK THIS LITTLE SHOVEL, AND, UH, I KEPT DIGGING AND DIGGING AND DIGGING BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED WITH ROCKS, AND THERE WAS JUST LIKE CLAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH, AND, SO TO MAKE IT NICE AND FRIENDLY TO THE WORMS... Huell: FRIENDLY TO THE WORMS?

>> YES, IF YOU HAVE WORMS, THE ROSES LOVE IT.

Huell: YOU MEAN LIKE FISHING WORMS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: EARTHWORMS.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT?

SO WE'LL PUT THIS LIKE THIS.

Huell: I'M HOLDING THE BUCKET.

>> YOU'RE HOLDING THE BUCKET.

THERE WE GO.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU FERTILIZE THESE ROSES?

>> OH, I SURELY DO.

ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR.

Huell: AND WATER 'EM A LOT?

>> WATER THEM DEEPLY.

NOT JUST SPRINKLES, BUT WATER THEM DEEPLY.

Huell: MM-HMM.

>> AND THEN ALSO, WHEN SOME PEOPLE FINISH WITH THEIR EGGSHELLS, BANANA PEELINGS, VEGETABLES, RAW VEGETABLES, THEY PUT 'EM DOWN THE DISPOSAL, WHICH IS THE HEALTHIEST ORGAN IN THE HOUSE.

INSTEAD OF THAT, I SAVE THOSE THINGS AND ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, I COME OUT, AND I DIG THIS SAME LITTLE SHOVEL, I DIG A HOLE ABOUT THAT DEEP, AND I BURY THAT--ALL THOSE GOOD THINGS, AND, UH, THAT MAKES THE WORMS COME.

THAT MAKES THE ROSES LOVE IT.

Huell: SO IT'S LIKE A COMPOST PILE IN A WAY.

>> INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE THINGS IN THE BACKYARD AND MAKING A COMPOST, I PUT IT RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROSES.

Huell: AH!

>> AND I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT THAT--IF YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE SOIL IS SOFT... Huell: BOY, THAT IS RICH.

>> SOFT AND RICH.

Huell: OH, WAIT A MINUTE.

LOOK AT THIS ROSE HERE.

>> ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

Huell: NOW, CAN WE CUT THIS ONE?

>> YOU BET WE WILL.

Huell: YOU THINK THIS IS ONE THAT COULD-- >> SEE, THAT'S GOOD.

NOW, WE TAKE DOWN 5 LEAVES.

SEE THERE?

A LITTLE LATER, I WILL HAVE YOU, SHOW YOU HOW TO DO THAT.

THIS IS 5 LEAVES DOWN.

THIS IS MARDI GRAS.

Huell: MARDI GRAS?

>> MARDI GRAS.

NOW, THIS ONE I WILL NOT PICK.

YOU KNOW WHY?

Huell: IT'S NOT READY.

>> NOT READY.

IT'LL BE READY TOMORROW.

BUT, THIS BUSH, I'M SO GLAD IT'S BLOOMING BECAUSE SOME THINGS ARE NOT BLOOMING TODAY.

THIS IS CALLED.

Huell: OH, THIS ONE'S GOLD.

>> THIS IS CALLED--NOW, THIS IS FOR YOUR CELEBRATION.

THIS IS SUTTER'S GOLD.

Huell: AH, CALIFORNIA'S GOLD.

>> CALIFORNIA GOLD, AND I WANT YOU TO SEE, WHEN THIS ONE COMES OUT.

Huell: WAIT, YOU'RE GONNA CUT THIS ONE?

>> I'M GONNA CUT THIS ONE, BUT I'M GONNA SHOW YOU.

THAT IS THE FIRST COLOR.

IN A FEW DAYS... SUTTER'S GOLD PUTS A LITTLE TOUCH OF PINK IN THERE.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS, LOUIE.

THEY REALLY ARE--AND THIS IS FROM THE SAME...THIS IS THE SAME COLOR, BUT IT'S JUST 2 DAYS LATER.

>> I WILL NOT PICK IT, BUT UP AT THE TOP THERE, THERE'S ONE ALMOST PURE WHITE.

Huell: THIS ONE RIGHT HERE.

>> YES, AND WHEN THAT IS FINISHED, NATURE SAYS, THIS BUSH IS READY TO HAVE THAT CUT OFF, AND IT'S WILTED.

SO IT HAS 3 STAGES.

SUTTER'S GOLD.

I HAVE PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT IF THEY COULD JUST GET A SUTTER'S GOLD BUSH.

IT'S BEEN EXTINCT FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS.

Huell: BOY, LOOK AT THIS LITTLE ARRANGEMENT WE'VE GOT GOIN' RIGHT HERE.

>> ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

Huell: ALL THESE COLORS.

>> ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

NOW, THIS ONE IS A BEAUTIFUL ONE.

IT'S CALLED SONIA.

Huell: SONIA.

>> SONIA.

ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

THAT'S A PASTEL.

Huell: OH, THEY SMELL GOOD, TOO.

LOOK AT THIS ONE!

LOOK AT THIS ONE, MIRIAM.

>> THAT ONE IS FIRST PRIZE, AND WE'RE GONNA CUT A BUD WITH THIS.

WE SAVED THE BUD FOR YOU.

Huell: THIS IS FIRST PRIZE?

>> FIRST PRIZE.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, FIRST PRIZE?

>> THAT'S THE NAME OF IT.

Huell: REALLY?

>> YOU SEE, THEY ALL HAVE THE NAMES, SEE?

THIS WAS SUTTER'S GOLD.

THIS IS FIRST PRIZE.

Huell: YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS THE PRETTIEST ROSE I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.

>> ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

Huell: I DON'T KNOW, LOUIE, WHETHER YOU CAN GET A COLOR OF THAT, BUT THE WAY THE WATER GLISTENS ON IT, AND THE WAY IT'S SHAPED.

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL ROSE.

>> IT'S PERFECT, ISN'T IT?

Huell: ABSOLUTELY.

DO YOU ENTER--DO YOU ENTER FLOWER SHOWS?

>> WE'RE TOO BUSY SHARING GOOD THINGS WITH PEOPLE THAT JUST LOVE THEM.

AND THAT'S--YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING, SO IF YOU WENT INTO THE SHOW BUSINESS, THAT'S MOSTLY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR OWN GLORY.

THAT DOESN'T FIT ME AT ALL.

I WANTED TO SHARE, AND I'VE DONE THIS FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.

Huell: YEAH, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY, WHICH WE'LL DEVELOP AS WE GO ALONG, BUT MIRIAM SHARES HER ROSES WITH PEOPLE ON A DAILY BASIS.

AND THIS IS KIND OF THE WAY YOU START YOUR ROUTINE EVERY MORNING.

>> EVERY MORNING, THERE'S NO CHANGE.

Huell: OUT HERE, CUTTIN' THE ROSES.

>> THERE'S NO CHANGE WHATSOEVER, HUELL.

I'M DOIN' JUST--PUSHING MY LITTLE SHOVEL IN, AND WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING FANCY.

NOW, THIS IS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL, TOO.

IT'S CALLED CENTURY II.

Huell: CENTURY... >> CENTURY II, AND I KEPT THE BUD WITH IT.

Huell: IT'S GOT 2 BUDS HERE.

>> 2 BUDS.

I USUALLY DON'T DO THAT.

I MAY LEAVE THAT, BUT THIS MORNING, IT'S VERY SPECIAL.

Huell: BOY, THIS SUN IS HOT OUT HERE, TOO.

DO ROSES--HOW DO ROSES DO IN THIS KIND OF HEAT?

>> ROSES LOVE IT A LITTLE BIT LESS HOT.

SOME OF THEM WE HAD TO PICK OFF LAST NIGHT BECAUSE THEY WERE--THEY WERE SPOILED BECAUSE OF THE HEAT.

Huell: NOW, THIS BUCKET'S FULL.

>> WELL, WE CAN ALWAYS PUSH DOWN A FEW MORE.

Huell: OK, I'VE GOT--WE'VE GOT ANOTHER BUCKET OVER HERE.

>> YES, WE DO.

Huell: SO I'M GONNA GO GET ANOTHER BUCKET.

WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' WITH THAT ONE?

>> NOW, HUELL, YOU LIKED THAT OTHER FIRST PRIZE.

TO SHOW YOU THAT IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, THERE THEY ARE.

SO IF YOU HAVE A FIRST PRIZE ROSE, THAT'S THE WAY THEY LOOK.

YOU DON'T--YOU DON'T HAVE ONE FIRST PRIZE THAT HAS A CERTAIN SHAPE, BUT YOU HAVE-- YOU HAVE THE SAME THING.

Huell: YOU DON'T WEAR GLOVES.

>> NO, I DON'T HAVE TIME.

Huell: I'VE GOTTEN STUCK A COUPLE OF TIMES ALREADY.

I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> [CHUCKLING] WELL, NOW, THERE'S ANOTHER FIRST PRIZE.

Huell: LOOK AT ALL THE BLOSSOMS YOU HAVE UP HERE, MIRIAM.

>> NOW, I SAVED THAT ONE FOR YOU, HUELL.

UH, IF YOU COULD-- I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A LITTLE-- INSTEAD OF MY GOING THROUGH.

I USUALLY DO THIS MYSELF, BUT THIS MORNING, I THINK I'LL LET YOU CUT SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL.

Huell: OK. HOW AM I GONNA GET IN THERE?

>> THAT--ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO GET AMONG THIS, SEE?

Huell: BOY, THIS WASN'T THE DAY TO WEAR SHORTS.

[MIRIAM LAUGHS] HERE, I'LL GO THROUGH THIS WAY.

>> OH, MAYBE THAT WAY.

Huell: NOW, GIVE ME SOMETHING TO CUT 'EM WITH.

>> HERE YOU ARE.

NOW, WHAT I WANT-- Huell: NOW, WHICH ONE ARE WE GONNA... >> IT'S NOT ONE.

WE'RE--I'M GONNA GIVE YOU THE TREE-- IT'S THIS.

Huell: THIS WHOLE BIG... >> SO CUT DOWN THIS SIDE UNDERNEATH.

Huell: RIGHT HERE?

>> RIGHT THERE.

AND THEN YOU'LL CATCH IT.

Huell: OH, WAIT A MINUTE.

I CUT THE WRONG ONE.

>> THAT'S OK. DON'T YOU WORRY.

Huell: OH, I'M SORRY.

>> THAT'S OK. Huell: YOU MEAN, CUT THIS WHOLE BIG-- >> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: OH, GOSH.

RIGHT HERE?

>> YES.

Huell: RIGHT ABOUT HERE?

>> RIGHT UNDERNEATH WHERE THERE IS A STEM.

RIGHT THERE.

THERE YOU GO.

Huell: WOW.

>> I SAVED THAT FOR YOU.

THAT IS A SPECIAL-- Huell: GOOD MORNING.

Man: HUELL, YOU NEED ANY HELP?

Huell: OH, NO.

THAT'S FINE.

WE'RE JUST VISITING WITH MIRIAM HERE IN HER ROSE GARDEN.

>> I RECOGNIZED YOUR VOICE FROM YOUR SHOW.

Huell: GOOD MORNING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE ROSES?

>> THEY'RE GREAT.

JUST GREAT.

Huell: COME ON IN, TALK WITH US A MINUTE.

>> SURE.

Huell: YOU'RE ONE OF THE REGULARS AROUND HERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

I TEACH TENNIS OVER HERE.

Huell: AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THESE ROSES?

>> OH, THEY'RE FABULOUS.

SHE DOES A GREAT JOB.

SHE'S OUT HERE EVERY MORNING PRUNING THEM AND DOING THINGS TO THEM.

AND THEY'RE JUST GREAT.

AND SHE TAKES THEM OVER TO THE POST OFFICE IN SOUTH PASADENA.

Huell: OH, YEAH.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE THIS MORNING.

>> OH, OK. YEAH.

SHE'S A WONDERFUL LADY.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU EVER GET ANY OF HER ROSES?

>> UH, SOMETIMES SHE GIVES ME ONE.

YEAH.

Huell: [LAUGHS] ARE YOU PRETTY STINGY WITH THOSE THINGS?

>> HE'S TOO BUSY BATTING BALLS AND TEACHING PEOPLE.

Huell: WELL, NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.

I'M GETTING STUCK HERE IN THE MIDDLE.

YOU'RE KINDA KNOWN AROUND TOWN, AREN'T YOU, MIRIAM?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

NOW THIS--THESE ARE ALL IN GOOD SHAPE... Huell: BOY.

>> ...ON ONE STEM.

ISN'T THAT GORGEOUS?

Huell: THAT IS AMAZING.

>> THAT'S CENTURY II.

Huell: NOW, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH CUT NOW?

>> OH, NO.

WE DON'T.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE SOME LAVENDER ONES.

ALSO WE MAY REACH UP--HERE, LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THIS.

I WANT TO GET MR. LINCOLN.

Huell: OH, LOOK AT THIS RED ONE.

>> THAT IS MR. LINCOLN.

LET ME SEE IF IT'S BEEN OUT TOO LONG.

NO, IT HASN'T.

SO WE'LL GO DOWN TO 5 LEAVES.

Huell: YOU CAN TELL JUST IMMEDIATELY, CAN'T YOU?

>> THERE YOU ARE.

SMELL IT.

Huell: OH, BOY.

>> THAT IS THE PRIME OF EXISTENCE OF FRAGRANCE.

ISN'T THAT LOVELY?

Huell: [LAUGHS] YEAH, IT SMELLS GOOD OUT HERE, TOO.

>> NOW, HUELL, I SAVED THESE FOR YOU.

THEY'LL MAKE ONE BOUQUET.

SEE, ALL OF THIS IS GONNA GO INTO ONE CONTAINER.

LET'S SEE, WE CLIP THIS HERE.

Huell: THESE ARE A WHOLE 'NOTHER KIND.

>> THAT IS CALLED LOVE'S POTION.

Huell: LOVE'S POTION.

>> UH-HUH.

IT'S AN OFFSHOOT OF ANGEL FACE.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

I JUST SAW A RED ONE OVER HERE NEXT TO THE-- >> DID YOU?

Huell: THAT BIG RED ONE.

>> THAT IS NOT GOING TO GO BECAUSE IT HAS A LITTLE TARNISH.

Huell: [WHISTLES] OOH, BOY.

>> THE NAME OF IT--DID YOU GET CUT?

Huell: NO, I GOT STUCK.

>> OH, SHUCKS.

Huell: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THESE LIKE YOU-- >> I TELL YOU, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO PRESS IT A LITTLE BIT, AND IT'LL BE--AND IT WON'T HURT.

[HUELL LAUGHS] >> THIS IS A-- Huell: MM!

>> SO... Huell: I'M AMAZED AT HOW YOU WORK IN THOSE BUSHES WITHOUT GETTING STUCK.

>> DID YOU SAY-- Huell: AND NOT WEARING ANY GLOVES.

>> DID YOU SAY I DON'T GET STUCK?

I JUST GENTLY TOUCH THE THORNS, AND I TRY NOT TO GET STUCK.

SEE, THAT'S READY TO COME OFF.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER SECRET IS TO KEEP ALL THE DEAD ONES OFF.

Huell: BOY, I KIND OF--I DON'T REALLY FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT WHAT I DID HERE.

>> WHY?

OH, I DON'T MIND THAT A BIT.

YOU SEE, THERE'S AN ABUNDANCE IN THIS WORLD OF LOVELY THINGS.

AND THAT IS GONNA GO INTO THAT OTHER VASE, AND IT'LL BE BEAUTIFUL.

Huell: THIS ONE?

>> YES.

IT'S GOING TO GO RIGHT IN WITH THAT BIG BOUQUET.

Huell: BUT THESE ARE JUST LITTLE BUDS ON HERE.

>> THAT DOESN'T HURT.

IT'LL SHOW HOW THE LITTLE ONES COME ALONG AND THEN THE BIG ONES COME.

OF THIS ONE IS... DOLLY PARTON.

Huell: HA!

DOLLY PARTON HAS A ROSE NAMED AFTER HER.

>> BUT DOLLY PARTON--I'M GOING TO CUT THIS SO YOU CAN SMELL-- WHAT A FRAGRANT, LOVELY ROSE SHE IS.

BUT SHE'S NOT GOING TO GO TO THE POST OFFICE.

Huell: WHY ISN'T SHE GOING TO THE POST OFFICE?

>> SHE--IT'S TARNISHED.

SEE THE RIMS-- Huell: I DON'T SEE ANYTHING.

>> YES.

SEE THAT LIGHT-- IT SHOULD BE ALL SOLID.

Huell: SO YOU'RE PRETTY PARTICULAR ABOUT-- >> OH, I DON'T TAKE ANYTHING BUT GOOD ONES IN.

BUT THIS IS ONE THAT, HUELL, YOU SAID, THAT IS A PERFECT ROSE.

I WANT YOU TO SEE THIS.

THIS IS TOUCH OF CLASS.

Huell: WALK OUT HERE WITH US AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE.

>> ISN'T THAT LOVELY?

Huell: TOUCH OF CLASS.

>> TOUCH OF CLASS.

THIS IS BREATHLESS.

Huell: BREATHLESS.

>> BREATHLESS.

Huell: HOW'D IT GET THAT NAME?

>> OH, THAT'S THE NAME OF THE PRODUCER OF THAT ROSE.

DAVID.

NOW THIS ONE, I'M GOING TO JUST BE ABOUT OUR LAST ONE THAT WE'RE PICKING.

Huell: YOU'RE GONNA GET ANOTHER ONE WITH A LOT ON THERE.

>> I'M GONNA GET A LOT ON IT.

AND THIS ONE IS CALLED FIRST EDITION.

Huell: WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF SPACE HERE.

STICK 'EM IN THERE.

>> THERE WE GO.

Huell: BOY, LOOK AT THIS.

>> OH, WE WILL--WE COULD PICK THIS, BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO SCRATCH YOUR LEGS.

[LAUGHS] Huell: A LITTLE LATE FOR THAT.

>> I KNOW.

THIS IS ONE... Huell: OH, WE GOTTA GET THAT ONE.

>> ...THAT I SAVED FOR YOU BECAUSE IT'S CALLED GOLDEN CELEBRATION.

Huell: WE GOTTA GET THIS ONE.

>> DOWN 5 LEAVES.

DON'T SCRATCH, NOW.

PULL YOUR STEM UP.

Huell: RIGHT HERE.

>> THAT'S GOOD.

NOW, HOLD ONTO IT SO YOU'VE GOT IT.

AND THAT IS SPECIAL FOR YOU TO PUT AT THE POST OFFICE IN YOUR CELEBRATION.

GOLDEN--AND SMELL IT.

Huell: OH, THEY ALL SMELL A LITTLE DIFFERENT, TOO.

>> OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY ALL SMELL DIFFERENTLY.

OK, I THINK THIS IS IT.

Huell: NOW WE'RE GOING INSIDE.

BOY, THIS IS-- >> I'LL SHOW YOU.

I'M NOT PICKING THEM, BUT THIS IS GRANADA.

Huell: YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU FIRST DRIVE UP, WE SAW ALL THESE ROSES, BUT ONLY WHEN WE GOT IN THERE AND WE STARTED CUTTING THEM AND LOOKING AT THEM DID I REALIZE JUST HOW MANY ROSES YOU HAVE.

IT'S KIND OF DECEIVING, ISN'T IT?

>> UH, YES.

IN JANUARY, WE CUT THESE BACK.

I HAVE ONE MAN THAT IS EXCELLENT AT THAT, AND HE CUTS THEM BACK TO ABOUT THIS HEIGHT ALL THE WAY THROUGH SO THAT ALL WE HAVE IS LITTLE STALKS LIKE THIS.

AND THEN AS THE WEEKS GO ON, LEAVES POP OUT, FINALLY ROSES, AND DURING THAT TIME THE PEOPLE AT THE POST OFFICE SAY, "HOW MUCH LONGER IS IT GONNA BE BEFORE THE ROSES COME OUT?"

BUT THIS IS--ONLY AT THE END OF THE YEAR DO WE HAVE THEM AS BIG AS THIS.

THIS ONE HERE I'M NOT PICKING TODAY.

I'M PICKING IT ABOUT 3 DAYS FROM NOW.

AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BIG ONE.

IT'S CALLED FRENCH PERFUME.

SO WE GO IN.

Huell: NOW WE'RE GOING INSIDE.

>> OH, THIS.

YOU MUST MEET BUNNY HOP.

BUNNY HOP IS-- Huell: BUNNY HOP?

>> THIS IS BUNNY HOP THE CLIMBER.

BUNNY HOP, IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS, WILL BE COVERED WITH BLOOMS LIKE THIS.

ABSOLUTELY COVERED.

CAN YOU SEE THE BUDS ALL THE WAY THROUGH?

Huell: YEAH.

>> THAT'S BUNNY HOP.

[BOTH LAUGH] Huell: ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING INSIDE TO DO SOME WORK.

OUR WORK HAS JUST BEGUN.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

Huell: YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR 'CAUSE I GOT 2--I GOT AN ARMLOAD HERE.

>> I KNOW YOU DO.

Huell: OK. NOW WE'RE INSIDE, AND WE ARE...WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?

>> WE'RE GETTING THEM READY FOR THE POST OFFICE.

SEE, WE'RE PUTTING THEM IN THE VASES AND WE'LL SET THIS ONE INSIDE AND IT WON'T TIP.

SEE, THAT'S THE WAY THEY GO TO THE POST OFFICE.

UH, YOUR FIRST PRIZE HERE.

Huell: SO YOU'RE MIXING AND MATCHING AND... >> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: DIFFERENT SIZES, DIFFERENT COLORS.

>> SMELL THAT.

ISN'T THAT WONDERFUL?

THAT'S MR. LINCOLN.

EVERYBODY HAS MR. LINCOLN.

Huell: I DON'T REMEMBER CUTTIN' MR. LINCOLN.

I DON'T REMEMBER YOU POINTIN' HIM OUT TO US.

>> I KNOW IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM THERE.

AND CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS EVERY DAY?

Huell: SO YOU DO THIS EVERY SINGLE MORNING.

>> EVERY SINGLE MORNING, UNLESS I AM CALLED OUT OF TOWN FOR CERTAIN REASONS, AND THEN...

I'LL PUT THIS LOVE'S POTION.

Huell: BOY, YOU KNOW, THIS LOOKS PRETTY JUST LIKE THIS.

>> ISN'T THAT LOVELY?

Huell: THE WAY THE COLORS MIX TOGETHER.

>> THAT'S NATURE.

Huell: YEAH.

NATURE KNOWS WHAT SHE'S DOIN', DOESN'T SHE?

>> YOU BETCHA.

OK. Huell: NOW, HOW LONG WILL THESE LAST?

>> UH, THAT IS AN INTERESTING THING.

I MAY HAVE TO TAKE ALL OF THEM OUT TOMORROW.

SEE, I TAKE THEM IN FRESH EVERY DAY, AND I NEVER GIVE UP.

Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU NEVER GIVE UP?

>> I NEVER GIVE UP BECAUSE IT COULD BE A TENDENCY IF I COME IN THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY'RE ALL WILTED AFTER BEING SO BEAUTIFUL THIS MORNING, BUT I DON'T GIVE UP BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NATURAL.

IT DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF AIR AND THE WARMTH AND THE SUNSHINE THAT COMES INTO THE POST OFFICE, AND I'M TAKING FRESH ONES IN, OR I MAY PULL OUT SOME THAT ARE... THAT ARE A LITTLE BETTER THAN OTHERS AND THROW THE REST AWAY.

SO THIS GOES ON EVERY DAY.

Huell: 6 DAYS A WEEK?

>> SATURDAY ALSO.

Huell: OK, THE BUS HAS PULLED UP, AND WE'RE READY TO--GOOD MORNIN'.

>> GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MISS SPAULDING.

>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, RICK.

HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NOW WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?

WHAT'S THE ROUTINE?

>> WELL, THE ROUTINE IS JUST WE PICK UP HER BAGS AND PUT 'EM IN THE VAN AND WE TAKE HER TO THE POST OFFICE.

WE DROP HER OFF, LEAVE HER THERE ABOUT A HALF HOUR, AND THEN WE COME BACK AND PICK HER UP AND TAKE HER TO HER, YOU KNOW, LIFE, HER BUSINESS.

Huell: NOW, THIS IS A REGULAR ROUTINE?

>> THIS IS REGULAR.

EVERY DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NOW, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ROSES?

WHO CARRIES THE ROSES?

>> I DO.

Huell: OK, SO WE'RE GONNA PICK UP.

I'M GONNA CARRY ONE HERE.

>> YOU CARRY ONE.

Huell: AND WE'RE GONNA LOAD UP, AND WE'RE OFF.

[CHUCKLING] WE'RE OFF.

>> WE'RE OFF.

Huell: NOW, EXPLAIN--EXPLAIN THIS ROUTINE TO US, MIRIAM.

>> WELL, IT ALL STARTED ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO.

SOMEBODY WANTED JUST A ROSE.

AND I SAID, "I'LL BE GLAD TO JUST GIVE YOU A ROSE," BUT THE THING WAS, ONE OF THE OTHER CLERKS HEARD THAT, AND SHE SAYS, "WELL, WHAT ABOUT ME?

I WANT A ROSE, TOO."

SO I SAID OK. AND THEN SOMEBODY ELSE DOWN THE LINE SAYS, "WELL, WHY DON'T YOU JUST BRING US ALL A ROSE?"

SO I DID THAT.

AND THEN I FOUND THAT THE PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE WOULD WONDER WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE ROSES THE NEXT DAY.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> AND IT FINALLY EVOLVED THAT I COULDN'T LEAVE ANYBODY OUT.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, HERE WE COME INTO THE POST OFFICE.

>> AND THERE'S A SPECIAL PARKING SPACE RIGHT THERE.

Huell: FOR THE BUS.

>> FOR THE BUS.

Huell: OK. OH, I GOT YOU.

WE'RE COMIN' RIGHT IN HERE.

HERE COMES MIRIAM.

NOW, WHAT'S THE ROUTINE, MIRIAM?

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

>> THIS IS A NICE RAMP SO WE CAN GO UP.

Huell: UH-HUH.

OK, WE'RE HERE.

>> HERE WE ARE.

Huell: NOW, HOW DOES THIS WORK NOW?

Man: HELLO, MS. SPAULDING.

>> COME OVER HERE, AND YOU SET YOUR ROSES DOWN.

Huell: OK. >> AND...NOW, LET'S SEE.

THERE'S SOME HERE.

Huell: NOW, SEE?

SHE'S HARD AT WORK OVER HERE.

YOU ALL KNOW THE ROUTINE, DON'T YOU?

>> OH, WE HAVE TO.

WE HAVE TO.

SHE DOES IT EVERY DAY.

SHE'S DONE IT EVERY DAY FOR OVER 12 YEARS, SO... Huell: REALLY?

>> OH, YEAH, YEAH.

Huell: NOW, DO YOU HAVE A CERTAIN ROSE THAT YOU GET PUT ON YOUR...AT YOUR PLACE RIGHT HERE?

>> YES, I DO.

IT'S CALLED THE INGRID BERGMAN.

Huell: THE INGRID BERGMAN?

>> YEAH.

SHE'S MY FAVORITE ACTRESS, SO SHE BRINGS IT IN FOR ME EVERY DAY.

Huell: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I GET ANGEL FACE.

Huell: ANGEL FACE?

>> ANGEL FACE OR GARDEN PARTY.

YEAH.

Huell: LOOK.

SO YOU JUST PUT 'EM RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF YOU HERE.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE ROSES?

>> YES.

I COME HERE OFTEN, AND I ALWAYS ADMIRE THEM.

THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

AND SHE JUST GROWS SO MANY OF THEM.

THEY'RE WONDERFUL.

Huell: SO HAVE YOU EVER SEEN HER COME IN LIKE THIS TO ACTUALLY DELIVER THEM?

>> NO, I'VE NEVER SEEN HER DELIVER.

I'VE ALWAYS COME AFTER THE FACT, SO THIS IS GREAT.

Huell: SO NOW YOU KNOW WHERE THEY COME FROM.

>> YEAH, IT'S NICE TO SEE HER.

Huell: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE ROSES?

>> YES, I COME HERE JUST TO SEE THE ROSES.

Huell: NO, YOU DO NOT.

>> YES, I DO.

THIS IS THE ONLY POST OFFICE THAT HAS ROSES.

Huell: YEAH, BUT YOU'RE HERE TO DO WORK.

>> NO, I'M JUST HERE TO SEE THE ROSES.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING!

>> NO.

I BELONG TO THE SOUTH PASADENA GARDEN CLUB.

Huell: OH.

AND WE JUST LOVE HER ROSES.

THEY'RE FANTASTIC.

>> TAKE A LOOK AT HER OVER HERE, LOUIE.

Woman: OH, IT'S THE ROSE LADY.

>> HELLO!

>> OH, LOOK AT YOU.

OH, THANK YOU FOR THE ROSES.

OH, THOSE ARE FABULOUS.

>> ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

HOW ABOUT THAT?

I WANT STEVE.

YOU CALL STEVE FROM THE BACK.

Huell: WHERE IS STEVE?

THIS LADY'S IN CHARGE OF THE POST OFFICE.

NOW, WHO IS STEVE?

>> STEVE, GUESS WHAT I BROUGHT YOU THIS MORNING?

>> MR. LINCOLN.

>> MR. LINCOLN.

>> THEY'RE THE MOST FRAGRANT ROSES.

Huell: SO YOU KNOW THE ROSES BY NAME.

>> SOME OF 'EM, YEAH.

SURE, WE DO.

THEY'RE HERE SO OFTEN, SO WE GET TO KNOW 'EM.

Huell: HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?

>> UH, ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW.

Huell: SO YOU'VE HAD ROSES BROUGHT EVERY DAY FOR 3 YEARS.

>> OH, YEAH.

SHE'S BEEN COMING HERE ABOUT 8 YEARS NOW?

>> A FEW MORE THAN THAT.

>> 8 OR 9 YEARS OR SO.

Huell: SO YOU'VE REALLY GOTTEN SPOILED IN HERE, HAVEN'T YOU?

>> OH, WE DO.

BUT IT'S FOR US AND THE CUSTOMERS.

THEY JUST ENJOY COMING DOWN HERE.

Huell: YEAH.

YEAH.

>> SOMETIMES THEY ARE...THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN HERE BECAUSE THEY'RE RUSHING IN TO SEE THE ROSES.

Huell: MM-HMM.

>> I'LL GET SOME MORE.

Huell: DO YOU THINK IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE PLACE?

>> OH, SURE IT DOES.

SURE IT DOES, YOU SEE SMILING FACES, AND THE FRAGRANCE.

PEOPLE CAN SMELL THEM JUST IN LINE, STANDING OVER HERE.

Huell: WHO SAID ABSOLUTELY?

>> IT'S AROMA THERAPY, THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

Huell: WHAT?

>> IT'S AROMA THERAPY.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AROMA THERAPY?

Huell: NO.

>> WHEN YOU SMELL SOMETHING WONDERFUL, IT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

JUST LIKE WHEN YOU EAT WONDERFUL FOOD, IT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

WELL, WHEN YOU COME IN, YOU SMELL THE FLOW--YOU KNOW THEY ALWAYS SAY YOU HAVE TO STOP AND SMELL ROSES?

THAT'S THE WHOLE SECRET.

THAT'S WHY SOUTH PASADENA'S SPECIAL.

Huell: SO DO YOU HAVE AROMA THERAPY?

IS IT WORKIN' FOR YOU IN HERE?

>> IT PROBABLY IS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT AT FIRST, BUT, YEAH, IT DOES MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, AND WHEN YOU SEE IT, YOU JUST WALK IN, AND THE CUSTOMERS COMMENT ON IT EVERY DAY, AND THEY JUST LOOK FORWARD TO COMING HERE.

HAPPIEST POST OFFICE IN THE WORLD.

Huell: YOU'RE SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR.

>> YES, AREN'T THEY BEAUTIFUL?

WE'RE SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COME SEE HER AND SEE THESE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS EVERY DAY, THANKS TO THAT NICE, NICE LADY.

>> EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY.

Huell: NOW, HAVE YOU MET HER BEFORE?

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW HER PERSONALLY, BUT, YES, I'VE SEEN HER IN HERE BEFORE.

VERY NICE LADY.

AND EVERYBODY'S SO LUCKY.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A POST OFFICE LIKE THIS.

HAVE YOU?

Huell: NO.

>> AND WHEN SHE'S NOT HERE.

SHE SAID SHE WASN'T HERE FOR A WEEK, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF DIFFERENT.

Huell: YEAH.

>> THIS LADY COMES UP ALL THE TIME.

SHE SAYS, I LOVE THEM >> AND THEY SMELL SO GOOD, TOO.

Huell: YEAH.

WELL, THE POST OFFICE IS SMALL ENOUGH THAT IT CAN ACTUALLY CREATE AN AROMA IN HERE, CAN'T IT?

>> YES, YES, SURE.

CERTAINLY.

Huell: TELL EVERYBODY WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE RIGHT NOW.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

[LAUGHING] LIKE ROSES, AND THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL SMELL.

Huell: DO YOU KNOW MIRIAM?

HAVE YOU ALL EVER MET?

>> THEY MAY NOT KNOW ME, BUT THEY KNOW THE ROSES.

>> OH, YOU'RE THE LOVELY LADY.

WELL, I'VE OFTEN WONDERED WHO IT WAS.

Huell: SHE BRINGS 'EM IN EVERY DAY.

>> I KNOW.

Huell: THIS IS MIRIAM SPAULDING.

>> HI, MRS. SPAULDING.

MY NAME IS ROSE BERGMAN.

>> WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> BUT I LIVE IN THE NEXT CITY, IN SANTA MARIA.

>> RIGHT, THAT'S LOVELY.

Huell: BUT YOUR NAME IS ROSE.

>> YES, YES.

>> OH, THAT'S WHY SHE WAS WONDERING.

>> NO, I JUST WONDERED THE LOVELY ROSES ALL THE TIME HERE.

>> THEY WERE IN HONOR OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU'RE VERY SWEET.

>> I LOVE THE ROSES, AND I THINK SOUTH PASADENA HAS THE NICEST POST OFFICE IN ALL OF L.A. COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE ROSES.

Huell: SO, IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE ROSES.

YOU THINK IT KIND OF CREATES A MOOD IN HERE.

>> OF COURSE.

IT MAKES IT VERY FESTIVE.

Huell: YEAH.

>> EVERY WEEK I COME IN HERE, AND THE ROSES ARE DIFFERENT.

>> THIS LADY IS SO FABULOUS WHO BRINGS THESE ROSES ALL THE TIME, AND IT JUST LIFTS OUR HEARTS TO SEE THEM AND SMELL THEM.

AND LOOK AT THESE LAVENDER ONES.

YOU DON'T SEE LAVENDER ROSES ANYMORE.

IT'S SO GOOD TO COME IN HERE AND FIND YOU HERE.

Huell: WELL, WE HEARD ABOUT THE ROSES AND THE ROSE LADY.

>> OH, THAT ROSE LADY, SHE'S FABULOUS.

WE ALL LOVE HER.

Huell: IT'S A HOMEY TOUCH ON A GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION.

>> IT MAKES YOU FORGET THAT YOU WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

NOT TOTALLY, BUT, YEAH, IT DOES HELP AN AWFUL LOT, AND IT DOES LIGHTEN THE MOOD AROUND HERE, AND IT MAKES IT PLEASANT FOR PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TROUBLE WAITING IN LINES ANYWAY, SO THIS JUST HELPS A LOT.

>> FEELS TERRIFIC.

THIS LADY'S DOING A NICE THING, MAKING OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY, AND SHE'S HAPPY ISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--]