Josephine had given Phil six children, she worked beside him when possible, on the farm's, and worked to save money by doing many tasks herself, everything from being a seamstress to canning and preserving food for the winter months.  Phil worked two jobs to earn enough money for his children. He eventually began a landscaping business. Josephine, eager to help, began to grow flowers, making plants from cuttings, and grew trees from seeds,  and cuttings. Soon mom had every window in the house filled with jars containing plants of every nature. Josephine soon began experimenting and began to grow plants that normally would not grow in New England. A pineapple is one example. she soon discovered that growing flowers and plants was her true love. Phil made her a winter garden so that she could expand, that however was not enough, mom took over the den  and used it as a winter garden also. Phil got the Idea to build her a greenhouse, a big one. He proceeded to build one and shortly after it was complete, Dad received a Zoning violation. Phil spent several years in court to have the same right as his neighbor; he fought the town and won the right to have the nursery . It took 10 years but he finally was able to give Josephine what she dreamed of. For the next 40 years, mom grew her plants and flowers.  She loved every moment of it. Josephine at 92 still goes outside to the nursery and helps her son Frank who runs the nursery. Phil has been smiling from heaven for 16 years knowing that fighting the fight was worth it.   

(c) Tuchy Palmieri 2008

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P. S. Josephine went to Be with Phil and her two sons on March 29th 2009

© Tuchy palmieri  permission is granted to reprint any and all of this

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