After major holidays the White House kitchens were quiet. I constructed my floral arrangements close to the kindly cooks, feeling at home there.
For the staff birthday party, I garnished glasses of herbal tea, as recommended by former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Arranging blooms, I recited names in English, not Latin: coral-shaped Reef Flower, yellow Devil Flower, fuchsia Rain Flower.
Jaqueline Kennedy had encouraged patriotic displays. I staked a Red Velvet rose flanked by blue Coyote bearded iris and aromatic white Bone Flower. Then added fleur-de-lys Saints Flower lilies; the new manager was from New Orleans. Though from his glances, I knew he’d never recommend me for a permanent kitchen position.
Arriving, he growled, “How about fixing this bland herb tea?” I poured scented lily water into his tumbler.
The White House cat eyed the water. “No, kitty,” I whispered, safely removing her. “A couple drops can be fatal.”
