Blossom Petals

Petals from blossoms that littered the back porch in March have now turned to pears that fall when the wind gusts. I tasted one today that had fallen two days ago, and it was marvelous.

Pear blossom petals on the back porch, Spring 2013.

The neighborhood is full of plum trees given away by stains on the pavement below them. (I learned from the purple finches that the blossoms were tasty, mildly sweet.) Some trees have mounds of rotting brown/red plums that give off a boozy smell as you approach. If you look carefully through them, you can find ones that have just fallen and are perfect to eat, only a little bruised after having been released by the tree. But I only eat one or two on my walks now, having eaten up to a dozen on each walk for the last month.

One tree in the neighborhood is a cherry. The only way to harvest them is by shaking, listening and watching for the few that fall, and chasing them before they disappear into dirt or poison oak leaves. After giving the tree a gentle shake, I hold out my open hand in vain, but one day I will have the luck to have one land upon it.

Blackberries are ripe. Days are longer. It is easier to meet our neighbors now.