Josie’s Room of Posies

“Ring around the Rosy, Pockets full of Posies (flowers), Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down.” This innocent-seeming rhyme conceals a grim secret; and so, did Josie’s room, forever gifted while in Reno. Firstly, “A ring a ring of roses, a pocket full of posies, Atishoo! Atishoo! We all fall down.” Literally, stems from the black death. Regarding Josie’s room, a tragic ending.

“The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Afro-Eurasia from 1346 to 1353.” “It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causing the death of 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351.” “Bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis spread by fleas, but it can also take a secondary form where it is spread person-to-person contact via aerosols causing septicaemic or pneumonic plagues.” Pertaining to today’s climate of plagues and pandemics, I hear a similar eerie tune. We better get things “cleaned” up; the Holidays are coming… I’m wearing a mask, gloves, and fluffy, earmuffs, foshizzle!

“The Black Death was the second great natural disaster to strike Europe during the Late Middle Ages (the first one being the Great Famine of 1315–1317) and is estimated to have killed 30 percent to 60 percent of the European population”. “Outbreaks of the plague recurred around the world until the early 19th century (Nostradamus tried to warn them as well; a quick shower a day keeps the pestilence at bay, or something along those lines).” “The Black Death (also known as the Pestilence, the Great Mortality or the Plague) created religious, social and economic upheavals, with profound effects on the course (or curse) of European history.” ~ Wikipedia

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”, and good hygiene along with Lysol works exceptionally well. Allow me to introduce you to my late-great supervisor Josie, my pharmaceutical trainer and representative to all “things” flowers, prescriptions, cleanliness, auras, cults, coffee, efficiency, medical billing, customer service, phone etiquette, Gary Cole, and later slot machines. My pharmacist in charge, then, and on standby for today’s topical events, taken by mouth, orally, Bernard; we’ll call him Bernie for short.

I will tell you, what Bernie told me, my very first day “on the job”; “There’s no magic pill or cure-all, no fountain of youth to be found, uphill, or discovered in pill form or any other kind manufactured, conjured, or biochemically introduced.” “Believe, you me, I’ve searched the world over and overlooking and searching in hopes of discovering for myself.” “A natural remedy is always best and moderation a useful key to any excess”! I was truly amazed, and new right then and there; this was a teacher or “new-age” preacher, I could learn something from. And I did!

We “talked” “shop” on ailments, afflictions, medicines, remedies, miracles, and rhymes with “otherworldly” rhythms. We philosophized chemical and herbal origins, and endured stories of horrific consequences, and some out-of-this-world glory in every tragic story. Bernie actually saved two lives while in my presence and acted as if, it was just another Tuesday. Learned a “life-time”, in those four short years and with you today, to share just some unforgettable memories.

Adorned on the shelves, in this “backwoods”, country, down-home pharmacy “were” pills for everyday remedies and up to four times daily by mouth on Sunday’s. Powders, creams, compounds, and ancient bottles of caffeine with cocaine still present in them. You would be flabbergasted at what humans “used” to ingest and considered “medicine”. Still! Seriously, I have heard of concoctions so morbid and twisted, alongside, so-called remedies of heinous ingredients. Essentially, pulverized flowers a main ingredient; but just-so-you-know, flowers have almost wiped-out empires, before (see poppies and opium for further reference and discussion). There’s a reason, you can’t pick California’s State Flower!

“Tagetes or marigold plant has been used for immune response, stomach pain and other medicinal purposes.” “Hibiscuses are ornamental plants and hibiscus flowers are used to make herbal tea around the world.” “The power of nature has surely been underestimated for the past few years”. “With increasing awareness, people all around the world have come to know about the innate healing properties of flowers”.

“Flowers are a sheer epitome of beauty with medicinal utility”. “They are not something which casts a magical spell just with its evoking appeal and aroma”; oh, believe you me, they do! “From get well soon flowers to some other exotic flowers, every flower is one of a kind in its meaning, appeal, color, structure and usage”. “Also, some flowers for healing and strength are simply the ones which make our day, effortlessly”. “Most of us might have heard of medicinal plants, but only a few of us would know there existed some medicinal flowers”.

“This beautiful flower gets its name from “Yasmeen” which means a gift from God”. “Jasmine, mostly drunk as a tea, this flower has got the power to cure body aches and cramps and also looks after any of the digestion issues that one has”. “It also looks after ulcers and prevents anxiety and sleeps issues”, without all the side-effects and that inexplicable rash that appeared from the nether regions. “For decades, the petals of Calendulas are used to treat cuts, burns and wounds”. “It has got some incredible antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory glycosides”. “This flower has got some properties to heal skin conditions, including rashes and acne.” Accutane used to be four dollars a pill and a blood test ever so often to ensure kidneys are still functioning. Yikes! Feels thorny and prickly, and you must stay out of the sun!

“One of the essentials while experiencing heaven in aromatherapy, lavender is used as essential oil which has got a rejuvenating effect to help people relax or de-stress”. “Also, helps to manage stress, anxiety and difficulty sleeping, the oil made of this flower has got some anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which heal wounds, burns and even acne, as well as some throat and chest conditions”. All good and minus steroids meant for eventual bone deterioration. Some “medications” wreak havoc on one’s stomach, and surely for no good reason; or does it?

“It’s not just beautiful on the outside, but also is a healer!” “Rich in Vitamin C, an important antioxidant for overall health and fighting some more serious conditions like heart disease and stroke”. “The petals of this flower are said to increase circulation, fight depression and anxiety, relieve infections and combat viruses, among a ton of other health benefits”. “Gifting a rose or a bouquet act as an instant mood uplifter,” and an evil warder offeror of epic proportions instead of lethal prescriptions or injections. Echinacea, Rosemary, Feverfew, Valerian root, Aloe Vera; just a few flowers I’ve picked, for an arrangement everyone should be aware of and grateful for.

Back in the day, most prescriptions had to be picked up in person and we were actually the first to offer deliveries. It was a good thing, since many people (i.e., the elderly) couldn’t just swing by after work and have their RX filled. I was set to finish work, do my delivery rounds to the hospitals, and senior home facilities, and then drive up to Reno for a slot machine tournament with my friend, Audi, short for Audra.

Audra is a platinum blonde beauty who went to my all-girl Catholic school with me and to this day a loyal best-friend and compadre. Covered in tattoos, decked out in all black, make-up applied right out of a magazine, and a locket inked around her delicate neck. Although I love the artistry and beautiful meanings of her symbolic images, I’ve not one tattoo on my body to mention. Nary a butterfly or initials, a heart or floral symbol to speak of. I avoid needles, like the plague (pun intended today). No piercings and the holes closed on my ears years ago. Oh, how I miss my hoops!

Josie went over my to-do-list before I left and wanted me to have a room at one of the infamous casino’s reserved in her name. A really weird silence entered the office back-room, and something felt “heavy” and amiss; I couldn’t put my finger on the pulse. Josie looked like Betty White in her younger years, same exact haircut to boot and just as sweet, until right before I left. Her demeanor shifted and she quietly took me aside to express her concerns before going on my trip to the outer limits of the unknown.

Josie and her husband, many moons prior had taken a quick excursion up to the famous casinos. They had visions of winning a jackpot of untold fortune; instead, they experienced the afterlife right under their bed; from another’s faithless decision. The remains of a lifeless young woman laid beneath them all night, unbeknownst to them. You wonder, how many “people” pass away in hotels? “The death rate in the US is in the ballpark of 800 deaths per year per 100,000 of population.” I imagine it’s higher in regard to casinos and their eternal gateways into an unknown outer abyss. Full moons probably don’t help turn the tide of this statistical spike of deathly mathematical numbers. I’m not ready to spin that wheel!

Another reason why, windows are permanently affixed (suicide) and a Gideons bible rests on every nightstand. “Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abiezrite clan in the tribe of Manasseh and lived in Ephra (Ophrah).” The bible in place for someone’s final chance of redemption, forgiveness, and absolution. Never forget, God is with you and goes before you! “Time would fail me to tell of Gideon and others who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens.”

I’m not forever checking in or out here, for that’s certainly one dimension, I’m not ready to explore and have not purchased a ticket, so I’m not admitted in. I have to confess, since hearing Josie’s unimaginable tale of horrors, has stuck forever in the back of my mind whenever I’m near or have to stay in a hotel. Haunting me ever since. I decided not to share this petrifying knowledge with Audra, till we got to our room and checked under the beds. We checked the room top-to-bottom and decided it’s better if we don’t sleep. We were too excited by then anyways.

The two-hour scenic drive up the Sierra mountains, with the music blasting from my Nissan Sentra (Trooper) was breathtaking, liberating, heavenly, and invigorating. Greenday blared from our speakers, whilst we caught up, reminisced, and plowed through the snowy hills. Rather quickly, I was a speed demon back then, lead foot, not the drugs that ran rampant through our small town or the a.d.d. medication abound; prescribed and handed out like candy.

Didn’t win at the tournament but enjoyed the bells and whistles thinking of my could-be millions. Unfortunately, I spent every last cent on a little food for us at a buffet that was expensive and oh so glutenous to mention. Dreading how I was going to get us home; kept that nugget to myself, as to not worry my unsuspecting best-friend that I was flat broke. I didn’t want to ruin her fun!

Sitting at the triple diamond slot machine, biting my nails, I was down to my last dollar and spun anyways. First spin landed a 7, second spin landed another 7, and what felt like eternity kept spinning and landed on a diamond! Not too sure exactly what this means, but “jackpot” I won a thousand something dollars! I can’t believe it, I exclaimed! I can get us home now, I shouted from the rooftops! What a relief, God came through again!

Cashed out with my bucket of gold and we headed back to our room to unwind and shower myself with pure clean water and happiness. What a giant relief, unintended. About five of us entered the elevator. Three highly inebriated individuals, (two guys and one girl, in their twenties) stumbled clumsily into the elevator with us. They, leaned up against the control panel and hit the same button as our floor (number 9). Oh, how I loathe tight quarters and sent a side-eye to Audra, and a sigh to the others for dramatic expression.

Nothing felt turbulent or stalled, but when the elevator came to a “standing”, the doors opened; a concrete slab with a red number 9 greeted and faced us. “There’s no way out”, said the assumed drunk boyfriend. “Oh my God, we’re trapped”, said his friend. “I’m going to puke,” said the girl now slumped to the ground. Audra immediately knelt down to help the girl, and one of the guys tried to keep the doors pried opened with his bare hands.

Panic in this elevator was just about to ensue and ya’ll know, I’ve got zero patience for that. Took me milliseconds to respond and I channeled my father. I said, “get your hands out of the doors, no you are not going to be sick, and you hit the number 9, quick”! Less than a minute had passed, and the doors once again opened. Freedom alas! All clear; and each one of them bolted from the elevator. Leaving me, last to spring from the death trap; escaped with hopeful optimism.

I know when it’s time to go and decided, we’ll go ahead and drive home! Drove well into the night and both of us quiet as mice. Escaped purgatory, we surely thought then, but eventually I found out (firsthand) for sure on another “trip” back extended. Didn’t quite learn my lesson.

During one fateful holiday excursion (late November), maybe the following year I graced those badlands once more; spent the night only to awaken the spectral spirits. Never had I seen an actual ghost before that creepy otherworldly night, nor since, but that actual night, spectral visitors from many dimensions entered my room with no doors from all directions.

They paid no attention to me, until one “Indian” ghost, I’m assuming; noticed me “looking”. She got right in my face, with an inquisitive piercing stare and said, “she can see us”. What felt like a jolt of lightning flung me back about a couple of feet (from the bed) and then the room went quiet, dark, no one peeping. That was the last I ever “dwelled” in Reno. I’m not really sure, I ever woke up! Maybe, I’m sleepwalking …

This concludes, Josie’s room of Posies and thank you for checking-in for a historical recollection from the other-side of the elevators through time and for good reason. Tis the season and hope you enjoy your stay! Savor the mint left on your pillow, room service, portals, snow globes, and elevator music with spectral inspections.