Airline and aircraft manufacturing employees are not the only workers feeling an immediate impact from the Sept.

Thursday, September 20, 2001

Airline and aircraft manufacturing employees are not the only workers feeling an immediate impact from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The economic repercussions – at least the immediate ones -&160;are much more far reaching.

Tina Stripe said Wednesday that she’s seen a major decline in the amount of flowers available to her Albert Lea business, Flowers by Curt. Last week she received less than half her normal shipment of fresh flowers. A standing order of 200 red roses didn’t reach her at all.

Due to planes being grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration last week, many flowers, which are flown in from overseas and other parts of the country, didn’t arrive as scheduled, she said.

That nearly spelled disaster for one of her clients last weekend. Of the three colors of flowers her customer ordered for a wedding, Stripe only received one. Although the bride was disappointed she didn’t get exactly what she asked for, Stripe said she understood the situation and was grateful she had any flowers at all.

Most customers have been at least as understanding with the situation, she said. But still she waits. Although most airline traffic is back to normal, she is still waiting on at least one particular shipment, which was scheduled to arrive last week, that is currently tied up at an airport security check.

&uot;I’m sure flowers were not the first thing on their (airport security personnel) minds,&uot; she said.

But she might argue with those folks.

Although her profits are down because of her less-than-standard stock, she has seen an enormous increase in orders for arrangements with patriotic colors.

&uot;If you’ve got anything red, white and blue, it’s gone,&uot; Stripe said, adding that her freedom-loving customers are gobbling her supply of American flags and ribbons up also.

She hopes things will be back to normal soon, possibly today, but wants to let customers know they should plan on placing orders a little earlier than normal just in case.

Despite the tensions caused by this tragedy in America and her decrease in income, Stripe knows she has a place amid all the sadness. When things are bad, she thinks, people want flowers. They allow for, and help with, the healing process.

&uot;I think when words fail, flowers speak volumes,&uot; she said.