In our son’s neighborhood in Oakland live Becky (same name as my wife) and Gee, a couple we have made friends with. About our age, they are originally from the Philippines and have made good lives in California, raised three daughters and have many grandchildren. When we are visiting our family, we walk around to see if Becky and Gee are home. Last time we four walked up to Pete’s Coffee house, about half a mile in the Dimond district. During one visit, they took us for lunch at a fabulous Chinese restaurant in Alameda.
In California, succulent gardens are encouraged, as they use less water. As we walk in the neighborhood, we stop to take photos of flora we seldom see in the East.
Becky’s garden is full of succulents, planted or in pots–in front, in the driveway and back yard. In back there is also a huge tangerine tree. Last year, because Becky and Gee can no longer harvest the high fruit, our son and grandson helped. Becky sent them home with bags of tangerines. Our grandchildren took turns with the hand presser, squeezing a bunch of them into juice. Others we peeled and enjoyed.
On our last visit, I took photos of Becky’s garden. Here they are, designed as a poster. Here it is:
If you’d like a digital copy for printing, let me know. You can email me at hbjacques@gmail.com. Or leave me a comment.
Ben Jacques Stories 