A few weeks ago, I noticed that all the pens at the checkout counter at my neighborhood grocery store had sprouted flowers. I assumed it was a growing trend because a co-worker had mentioned earlier this summer that the pens at her children's day care center were growing blossoms, too.

Flowers seemed to be adorning pens and pencils just about everywhere. Cute idea, I thought.

When the local Giant Eagle grocery store got in on the act, I began to suspect there was a larger purpose for the silk zinnia that obscured my vision as I wrote out my check.

"It's supposed to keep the pens from disappearing," the clerk replied in answer to my query. Now that makes sense. A person wouldn't mistakenly keep a vibrantly colored posey pen that took up considerable space in a purse or pocket.

I, for one, appreciated the effort. You see, I don't believe people steal public pens deliberately. But, if others can be as absent-minded as I, the store must lose a lot of pens in a day's time. I don't steal them on purpose, mind you, but I've often returned to the store to sheepishly give pens back when I unintentionally walked off with one.

So, I was surprised this past weekend when I returned to the store and couldn't find even one brightly colored blossom blooming at the checkout counter.

"They're already missing. They didn't last a month," she said.

Oh well, so much for that idea.

This week, I thought I'd have a little fun with some back-to-school crafts that have a flower growing where it doesn't belong and a mouse pad living where it should - right under your computer mouse. I found directions for these crafts at Disney online at www.familyfun.go.com on the Web.

Supplies you will need for the flowering pens and pencils:

One silk flower of your choice.

Green floral tape.

Pen or pencil.

Align the flower stem alongside a pen or pencil with the blossom resting at the top and hold tightly.

Starting at the bottom of the stem, wind the floral tape around the stem to keep it in place. Tear the tape off when you've reached the top of the pen or pencil.

Supplies you will need for the mouse pad:

1 9-by-12-inch piece of craft foam in both gray and purple.

Nonslip shelf liner.

Tacky glue.

Felt in purple, gray and black.

1 black pipe cleaner.

Ribbon.

Waxed paper.

Round the corners of one short side of a 9-by-12-inch piece of gray foam and trim the other side to a point.

Trace this shape onto a piece of shelf liner (found at department stores) and cut it out.

Create a face by tracing the pointed side of the gray foam onto a sheet of purple craft foam. Add a curved line for the back of the head and cut it out.

Glue a piece of ribbon or yarn to the underside of the gray foam for a tail. Glue the nonslip liner to the foam, covering the end of the tail.

For ears, cut out two 3-inch gray circles and two 2-inch purple circles. Glue the purple circles onto the gray circles. Line up the purple face with the nose and glue the gray circles just under the back edge of the purple face.

Cut a black pipe cleaner into six lengths and glue to the pointed end of the face for whiskers.

Cut out a black felt nose and eyes and glue to the purple face. Glue the purple face in place over the gray body.

Sandwich the mouse between two pieces of waxed paper and set a large, heavy book on top and allow the glue to dry.