I am a California girl, though and through. I was born in California, spent all my life growing up between the hilly green northern bay area of San Francisco and the central farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley. I am proud to be a California girl and have never hung my head in shame, though my sisters, both from Texas, tired to make me feel like dumpster residue. It was a common phrase, said clearly and with volume, "hey prune picker". As a youngster, I had no idea what a prune was. Not meaning to be snarky, but you can't pick a prune. When will those Texans figure that out?
While the Husband was in the Navy, we did get a chance to see some of the United States. We had the honor of living in Waukegan, IL for several months. Weather wise, I got to live in fear of an attic fire since our apartment was on the top floor of an old house that didn't have a lightening rod. In the summer evenings, usually late, the cells would form and the lightening would flash. I am a CA girl! I don't know about this sort of thing, and learned quickly that you need to unplug appliances during a storm. Oh yes, and when it's humid, laundry will not dry on the clothesline. Okay lesson learned. We left the city of Waukegan on the first day of snow, heading south to Florida. We were now snowbirds!
Our next duty station was Orlando, FL. Oh yes! October in Orlando was a dream come true. The weather was so fine, the state was so green, and flat. Very flat. We had a brook that went right past our house. Winter was wonderful! Then spring came. Tornados and even a hurricane were the events of the spring that year. As well as the hostages in Iran. Humidity in summer, again no clothes dried on the line. I learned to tape windows, leave a little open for the pressure and heat lightening is very cool to watch at night. The South really do have a wonderful part to live in!
Then it was time to move again, in September we headed north to Mass. We got there just before the leaves started changing. I have seen very little that could compare to the leaves that change in new England. Pictures are great, but seeing the trees up close, the leaves making the trunks look black, was amazing. We got to live a winter with loads of snow. I learned to drive uniquely different than CA driving. I also learned to shop at the meat market and bakery, not the supermarket, for meat, cheese and bread.
A few months later, back to CA we went. Final duty station. I have never loved living anywhere as much as living here. There are plenty of events that make you unhappy with a situation, but that is temporary. We live in a great place. The weather is mostly always good. We can't complain too long before it changes. While we won't witness the leaves changing, we can watch the whales migrate. I don't make snow angels, but I can go to the beach in January with bare feet and play in the sand. I drive like most other people, so I won't complain about their driving. I will complain if they don't carry insurance, though.
All that said, I love living in CA, being a "prune picker" and coming from the "land of fruits and nuts", which goes to show we know how important it is to eat our daily servings of fruits. I particularly love living in Southern CA. Many others do, too. And there are those who come to visit each year between November and May. Can't beat it.
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