That first stanza isn't just about trees. And yes, you are so, so right about poetry. As per uzh.
We were just in Lake Tahoe, celebrating my sister-in-law's life at her favorite place. I hadn't heard of Manzanitas in about 100 years - can't remember the last time Grandmother or Granddaddy (both long gone) said that name to me. But both brothers commented on them on a hike, and the second I heard the name, it rolled off my tongue as well; a long-forgotten but still familiar friend. Thank you for mentioning them in your poem, too.
Thank you for sharing this. This particular entry (not just the poem) has all the right ingredients. I'm with Mary -- the hope at the end warms my heart for you.
As always, I enjoy your words, whether it's poetry or prose. The feeling of homesickness never really goes away, it curls up in its little box and stays hidden for a time. Then there's a song, or a memory, or Christmas, or thanksgiving, and it comes out of its little box and reminds you that you miss home. Even though the idea of home is relative, there's always a part of you that finds home in the place you left.
The truth is, it will get easier, and homesickness will have its place. Thinking of you during this time.
I love your blog and your courage to move sight unseen to Pt!
I moved SF when I was 25 and left at age 50 for Portland. Everybody said I was making a mistake, I would miss SF so much. Oddly, I never did. Portland in 1999 felt so amazing to me, all the trees, so green. I bought my house in 2014, it is an amazing quirky house in the middle of a forested area, only 5 minutes from downtown. I am writing this from my front porch, which juts out into my garden, surrounded by all these big old trees and some Japanese maples.
I am 72 now, and I want to spend the last part of my life in Pt. I am planning to come in spring and do some serious scouting around Lisbon and now Setubal after reading the blogs coming out of there by ex-Californians. I think I loved Porto, but the weather is too much like PDX I’m afraid. I think what I will miss the most are the trees where I live, it’s magical here.
I started getting your letter when you first started your plans to move...we were deep in the middle of your move at that time! Its been quite the adventure!
Hi LaDonna, We worked together in SF....i keep meaning to message you to say how much i LOVE reading your story! This one in particular felt close to my heart. We moved back to the UK last July after 30 years in SF and every part of your story is so familiar to me especially this one! I didn't know what the feeling of homesickness was until i read this post and i totally get it now!! I'm off to the park to get to know the great oaks and chestnut trees now. I have been going to the Westonbirt, The National Arboretum of the UK often and get so emotional when i see the redwoods or any tree from the Western part of the US! Thanks for sharing your fantastic story and great writing...i look forward to reading it every month!
I’ve been in Portugal since March and love it ! I’m also born and raised in San Francisco Bay Area . I can relate with what you’re feeling regarding being homesick it’s like a wave washes over you and you don’t even know why or what you’re homesick for but there it is . I think it’s normal and we wouldn’t be human not to have these feelings . It does get better .
I gasped when i expected your letter was over. And there they were… mysterious new trees for a new chapter. Hope.
Hope. Exactly. ♥️
I reread this as I was looking for setubal in
my email well worth reading again .I recall a few of the passages and loved the poem thank you for the newsletter VERY much appreciated.
That first stanza isn't just about trees. And yes, you are so, so right about poetry. As per uzh.
We were just in Lake Tahoe, celebrating my sister-in-law's life at her favorite place. I hadn't heard of Manzanitas in about 100 years - can't remember the last time Grandmother or Granddaddy (both long gone) said that name to me. But both brothers commented on them on a hike, and the second I heard the name, it rolled off my tongue as well; a long-forgotten but still familiar friend. Thank you for mentioning them in your poem, too.
Thank you for sharing this. This particular entry (not just the poem) has all the right ingredients. I'm with Mary -- the hope at the end warms my heart for you.
As always, I enjoy your words, whether it's poetry or prose. The feeling of homesickness never really goes away, it curls up in its little box and stays hidden for a time. Then there's a song, or a memory, or Christmas, or thanksgiving, and it comes out of its little box and reminds you that you miss home. Even though the idea of home is relative, there's always a part of you that finds home in the place you left.
The truth is, it will get easier, and homesickness will have its place. Thinking of you during this time.
Hi LaDonna
I love your blog and your courage to move sight unseen to Pt!
I moved SF when I was 25 and left at age 50 for Portland. Everybody said I was making a mistake, I would miss SF so much. Oddly, I never did. Portland in 1999 felt so amazing to me, all the trees, so green. I bought my house in 2014, it is an amazing quirky house in the middle of a forested area, only 5 minutes from downtown. I am writing this from my front porch, which juts out into my garden, surrounded by all these big old trees and some Japanese maples.
I am 72 now, and I want to spend the last part of my life in Pt. I am planning to come in spring and do some serious scouting around Lisbon and now Setubal after reading the blogs coming out of there by ex-Californians. I think I loved Porto, but the weather is too much like PDX I’m afraid. I think what I will miss the most are the trees where I live, it’s magical here.
Perhaps we can meet for coffee.
Marla in pdx
I'd be happy to meet with you when you're here, Marla!
<3 my friend!!!
😘
I started getting your letter when you first started your plans to move...we were deep in the middle of your move at that time! Its been quite the adventure!
Yes at Tea :) I love your story too cant wait for the book either!
Hi LaDonna, We worked together in SF....i keep meaning to message you to say how much i LOVE reading your story! This one in particular felt close to my heart. We moved back to the UK last July after 30 years in SF and every part of your story is so familiar to me especially this one! I didn't know what the feeling of homesickness was until i read this post and i totally get it now!! I'm off to the park to get to know the great oaks and chestnut trees now. I have been going to the Westonbirt, The National Arboretum of the UK often and get so emotional when i see the redwoods or any tree from the Western part of the US! Thanks for sharing your fantastic story and great writing...i look forward to reading it every month!
Sharon--from Tea, right?! Thanks for reading!!
I’ve been in Portugal since March and love it ! I’m also born and raised in San Francisco Bay Area . I can relate with what you’re feeling regarding being homesick it’s like a wave washes over you and you don’t even know why or what you’re homesick for but there it is . I think it’s normal and we wouldn’t be human not to have these feelings . It does get better .
Lovely- thank you, this is weirdly one of my worries, that I will miss the trees here (I’m in Marin county) too much.
I don't think it's a weird worry at all. There is no place quite like northern CA.
Expressed so beautifully…amazing
I was welcomed to LA this past spring by jacaranda trees in full purple bloom. I’m sure they will do the same next spring for you too 💜
They were still in bloom in Portugal when I arrived in June. They're so gorgeous and smell amazing, as well. I love them.
With every Word Salad Newsletter I say to myself, “I can’t wait for her book!”
I can't wait for my book, either! I'm happy to report that I began working on it again this week after a nearly 5-month hiatus.
Lovely! Thanks for sharing so evocatively.
Your beautiful words have really been a comfort to me today. Thank you.