Things That Grow in My Neighborhood

It's Summer!  

I am a little surprised by my reluctance to hang by the pool more often and work on my tan, but I attribute this to the fact that I don't really have anyone to do it with - John's at work all day long, and the people I know here have regular jobs too; they can't just drop by in their bathing suits and hang.  When you are alone, even the most fun experience gets boring after awhile so I end up devoting my time to indoor activities like writing, writing and more writing.  I believe that the curse of every immigrant is having the opportunity to live a better life in a better place, and not having his closest family and friends to share it with.  Thank goodness for the wonderful invention called Skype and Blogger.

Surely, I do go out but lately I try to either have company or to bring my camera with me.  Also, I make sure I apply generous amounts of sunscreen on my nose and shoulders - again, I am bewildered by how little I want to expose myself to the sun although I have dreamed to live in a perpetual summer since I can remember.  California had spoiled me.  Now I have all the warmth and light I wanted, and I am beginning to take it for granted.  Ah, well!

In August summer seems to stretch forever.  Winter is eons away, the forecast promises nothing new but even, good weather; the music festivals are in their peak, and it's time for remote vacations, iced beverages, love making, late evening movies and short warm nights full of stars, backyard barbecues, afternoon naps, long walks in no particular direction, laughter and of course flowers.  Lots and lots of flowers.

I was coming home from running chores in the neighborhood yesterday; I was alone and sans camera, yet I couldn't help but admire the explosion of colorful, fragrant and exotic things growing everywhere around me.  Being the resourceful little blogger I am, I used my cameraphone (hurray for instagram!) so I can share this goodness with you.

Happy Summer, folks!

 

Note: I took this images while walking just a few blocks - I simply shot what I saw.  It's amazing that citruses, redwood trees, cacti, tomatoes, mushrooms (!), apples, geraniums, roses, succulents, lavender, bamboo, grapevines, ginkgo biloba, about 20 different types of groundcover plants and shrubs, willows, Japanese maple, magnolia trees, orchids, liliums and whatnot else all grow together at the same time, in the same garden.  You gotta love Nature.

California flowers.

California trees.