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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Here You Are

This is “Almond Hill” in my town, the southwestern vista we look at every day. In late February through March, the old almond orchards bloom. During my L.A. years, I came back home many times to see the almonds bloom. I took the photo on my blog header from up on these hills.
We called ourselves “The Almond Capital of the World” once, and our almond display won a first place silver cup at the World’s Fair in 1904. We had the largest concentration of almond orchards in the world and a splendid almond-processing plant.
The decades passed. As a child in the mid-60s, I played in orchards and made money harvesting almonds. Then the market turned. The plant closed, and by the ’70s the Almond Capital turned to grapes. Now we are a notable wine country.
And that’s where you are when you visit me: the former Almond Capital of the World. I still love the old orchards, many of which are dying off from age and neglect. But Almond Hill still blooms.

Wednesday is haiku day at You Know That Blog. This week’s theme is “Generosity.” In honor of the almond orchards, I wrote this haiku:

Petals drift like snow
An end to winter’s resting
Trees burst with seeds

What do you think of almonds? Most of the almonds you eat came from California, although not from my town anymore. What kind of curious thing is your town noted for?

32 comments:

Karen said...

I don't think I've ever seen an almond tree. I love almonds, though. I add sliced almonds to salads and eat at least 10 for my health every day.

I can't think of anything for which we're noted. Of course WV is (was) a coal-producing state. Unfortunately, we are mostly known for our problems. :-(

Shadow said...

you sure live in a beautiful place!

and our town (actually its a city, but i don't like the word) is the only city (there, i've used it) in the southern hemisphere with a nature reserve in the centre of it. it's on the top of naval hill, which used to be a naval base, which is nuts, considering we are about 700km inland.... maybe in case of high tide, hee hee heeee. anyway, there's 2 things for you.

Beth said...

We eat a lot of almonds in my house. I'll think of you now when we do. My town is known for azalea blooms (they are fantastic right now) and pecans. In the south, most people pronounce pecans like "pee-cans." Try to get it right! =)

the walking man said...

I like almonds well enough, probably would like them better if I didn't have to put my teeth in to eat them.

Hell kiddo this is Detroit, you name it and we at one time or another were known for it.

Megan, Life Revamped said...

I never thought that almond trees are beautiful!

glad to have found this blog! Now a follower…
Please come and visit me sometime!
have a great week!

xoxo,
fickleinpink
Generosity

Moonrayvenne said...

I love almonds! I thik my cousin has one in his backyard.
Hamtramck, MI...hmm...Well, a some years back, we were in the Guinness World Book of Records for most bars per square mile. It's only 2.2 sq mi big. We are surrounded on 3 sides by Detroit. Pope John Paul II visited & spoke here. Our bakeries are always packed for Paczki Day (Fat Tuesday). That's all I can think of for now...lol. (((HUGS)))

Brian Miller said...

wonderful pics...look at all the deer...the haiku made me think of all the petals fluttering on the breze and being lost in them...

Rosaria Williams said...

We are near Cape Blanco, the westernmost point in the continental United States.

We're also known for Port Orford Cedar, now almost extinct, an evergreen that is dense and waterproof. Yes, great building material.

No Longer 25 said...

I love almonds, but I've never seen an almond either. I just got a new buuble bath - honey and almond and it smells delicious.

Unknown said...

My town is noted for the nightmare traffic, during rush hour. LOL. Rubbermaid is headquartered here, too.

i am adoring your photos and your haiku was a perfect compliment. Very nicely done!

(we eat almonds practically every day, btw.)

Jazzbumpa said...

My old home town was
Once noted for glass. Now the
Factories are gone.


Sadly, nothing like grapes came in to take their place.

I eat almonds every day.

Is this somewhere near Modesto?

Cheers!
JzB

Anonymous said...

It is so lovely, I would want to spend whole days lounging around out there.

nsiyer said...

I love almonds and had them a few hours ago.For what we are noted - 'CROWD' and 'RESILIENCE.'

Unknown said...

Those pictures are almost to beautiful to be real. I think Heaven must have almond trees. I love roasted almonds because they remind me of a time in my life when I was young and naughty (long story but fun to remember.)

♥namaste♥

Unknown said...

So happy to be back here!
How are you?

Lovely pictures, indeed.
Real inspiring Haiku!

Just want to wish you HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Have you a great one!

hugs

shakira

If you like, you may visit my wordpress blog,
http://justmeshakira.wordpress.com

Oscar Wilde-The IRISH Gentleman

ART OF GENEROSITY

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, just beautiful. Almonds are a real favorite of mine. I grew up in Monticello,Kentucky, the houseboat capital of the world. It's a town of about 5,000 people on Lake Cumberland in south central Kentucky and has the largest concentration of houseboat manufacturers in the world. Go figure! Kind of like Elkhart, Indiana for mobile homes, but these float!

Syd said...

Beautiful photos. I like almonds, especially when used in cooking. My town is noted for its church steeples and is called the Holy City for that reason.

Jenn@ You know... that blog? said...

Wow, beautiful! I love almonds, but I don't think I've ever seen an almond tree, or the blossoms before. Stunning!

Thanks so much for joining us! Love having new folks on board, and we do have fun with our weekly haiku. Hope to see you back again next week!

Have a fabulous day!

CiCi said...

We are never without almonds in our house. In salads, as a snack alone and in rice pilaf. Any dish actually. I cannot get over that the absolutely beautiful view is what you get to see every day. Amazing. You are blessed.

Joanne Olivieri said...

Your photos are beautiful and I've always loved that header. In San Francisco we are known for many things, good and bad. However I'd say in the culinary area it would be crab and our sourdough bread and since today is St. Patty's day - there's nothing like an Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista. The haiku is lovely.

christine said...

Beautiful place to live and beautiful photos and amazing poetry.

I'm glad I found your blog.

Christine

inappropriatesue said...

I love the poem and the pictures are awesome too!!!

One Prayer Girl said...

These almond trees look so much like cherry blossom trees. They are absolutely beautiful.

I like almonds and they are a very healthy food.

My town? Having a whole lot of very super rich people who live here for only part of the year?
Being a beautiful waterside town - turning to city.

PG

Nikki (Sarah) said...

there's a peacefulness here...and the deer...really beautiful.

Marion said...

Oh. My. Gosh. It's been a long time since I've seen anything this lovely. What an inspirational place you live in!

I would visit those old orchards over and over again...I quite think my spirit is completely refreshed each time I am in groves of old orchard trees.

The Cariboo is known for its ranches, forestry and mining. And I believe the only jail for hundreds of miles was situated in 150 Mile House, the town where I live presently.

I love plain salted almonds! And marzipan...oh, yeah!

e said...

Gorgeous photos and haiku. This area is known as the lightening capital and for Gasparilla, neither of which inspires any fondness on my part.

Dianne said...

The town of my birth is known as the home of Buck Owens. Ha!

Beautiful photos, Chris. The haiku is bursting with promise.
See you at poet's night?
Di

Magpie said...

I love almonds and ever since the diabetes diagnosis, I carry a small bag in my purse. Good energy, low carbs.

I didn't realize the photo was of almond blossoms. They're gorgeous. Do they smell like almonds?

I love the deer in the orchard. Sad to see things end, isn't it. We used to have miles upon miles of citrus orchards here in the Phoenix area. Not anymore. Now we have miles and miles of houses. But this time of year, you can still smell orange blossoms from people's yards. It's heavenly!

Evalinn said...

That´s so beautiful!

Jenny said...

Beautiful, beautiful post.

RNSANE said...

It was so beautiful driving through here today - not so far from the city but a million miles away! I didn't realize these were almond trees.

Marla said...

I love the photos! Growing up on the central coast, these made me feel like I was home again. Thank you!