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July 28, 2011

A Little Walk Down Memory Lane

When I lived in the Riverside area growing up in southern California, it was a handy area to the things I liked. There is something about growing up amidst thousands of acres of orange groves that stays with you forever. Picking fresh navel oranges taught me to instinctively know the perfect orange. Which ones to pick and eat and which ones to leave for another week.

Jump on the freeway and in a half hour I was rubbing baby oil on my body and soaking up the sun at the beach. Running on the sand isn't really racing; it is moving at a speedy walk that is great exercise. Moving quickly in sand that provides resistance to moving at a fast rate.

Drive from Riverside toward the mountains and in a half hour the aesthetic senses are electrocuted. The variety of impressive features of the San Bernardino mountain communities are enough to please everyone.

Of course my memory banks are full of the way it was back then. Less traffic, very little smog, and today there are houses where the orange trees stood in their glory. By the time the numbers of people heading to the beach caused the trip to take over an hour, I was on my way out of California, not to return for many years.

Each person has their own ideal place to live. I am settling in to a wonderful little town and finding it fulfills each item on my wish list for today. Some people would say we found this town by accident. I would say this move has been a continuation of the fulfilling of destiny for my hubby and me. Just like our meeting was.

21 comments:

Ms. A said...

Thanks for the walk down (your) memory lane. My memories are so faded, they don't even create a path.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

such a nice rememberance!

Brian Miller said...

nice bit of memory techno...where the mountains and ocean meet is where i hope to be one day...the best of both worlds...smiles.

Jeanie said...

I'm glad you have those good memories tucked away and that you are in a place where you are content and are making new memories every day.

DJan said...

I too love the photo of the cheeky little girl, and your memories of childhood. And the fact that you have found your own place in the universe with a great partner, there's no happenstance in that. You have chosen your wonderful life. :-)

Unknown said...

small towns (preferably not very far from big ones) are perfect. i am living in a small town too.

i love the smell of oranges, though i cannot say i love the taste much :)

Bossy Betty said...

Love that pictures and also hearing about your memories too. Orange groves! I walked among the wheat fields myself.

Kristina P. said...

Hey, I grew up in Riverside too! Sadly, my memories are marred with break ins, gang shootings, and drug deals.

LL Cool Joe said...

Nice trip down memory lane! I love the place we live in now here in the UK and the one in the AZ more than anywhere else I lived. Mainly it's because I'm with the people I love. Home is where the heart is. :)

Stickup Artist said...

Oh, how I wish I were here back then. On Tuesday it took us almost 3 hours to get to (north) Malibu! We flew home at around 9:00 pm, but still. Access to the desert and mountains is still pretty seamless so I find myself drawn east often. I love that we have this connection...

TALON said...

I believe in destiny, too. I'm so glad that you and your husband have found a place to be truly home for you.

Isn't it amazing how places change? But at least in our memories they stay the same...

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful place to grow up! I have great memories of my old neighborhood but feel we're living where we were meant to be now, too, and it's totally different than where either of us grew up!

Opaque said...

It is interesting you talk about childhood memories... thanks for sharing this one!

Dave King said...

Some of those memories are almost universal, I should think. Mutatis mutandis, of course. Mine include cycling out to favourite beauty spots in under the hour, then finding that it was taking twice as long, and finally that it was too dangerous to cycle there at all. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I think as most of us get older, the city life becomes less appealing and we desire the intimacy of small town life, wide open spaces and fresh air!

Ina in Alaska said...

You seem really happy my friend! Is that you in that picture? Glad all is in order in your world. Amen. xo

Bill Lisleman said...

all the changes that take place over time means you can't go home again other than in your memories and dreams. Nice post.

Liz Mays said...

Life just keeps getting better and better for you. But did you ever imagine your life's dream would include so many tractors? ;)

Eddie Bluelights said...

You look a very happy child and I somehow think happiness is still with you today. Wonderful how 'destiny' does play a part in our lives. So you are a Southern Bell! Do you speak with a southern accent. I am trying to master it at the moment - just for fun. I keep thinking of the way Scarlet O'Hara speaks LOL. Nice to 'see' you again, regards to you and James, and thanks for your visits reading my funny Painting & Decorating stories ~ Eddie x

Hilary said...

There are no accidents. You found your current home.. and each other for good reason. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Syd said...

Sad that the orange grove is gone. I am glad that you have found a place to put down your roots with James.