Oh you KNOW how I feel about California. Even though I grew up in the Bay Area, bit of a different climate, different landscape, so much of what you said resonates with me as well. And that poem made my heart ache. I’m so appreciative of the opportunity to live in Georgia, and to have experienced Texas for a short time, but nothing will ever quite compare to the Golden State 💛
Yes!! It was my post on my old blog that originally connected us!Nothing will ever compare quite the same 🥲 but I am finding the longer I live in Georgia, the more I appreciate it. I hope it’s the same for you 🫶🏻
This is lovely. I also only understand how much my childhood landscape shapes me when I left.
Have you read The Land of Little Rain by Mary Austin? It’s a series of essays from the early 20th century about the land around the Sierra Nevadas. I’ve never been in that area but she describes it so lovingly and vividly. I think you would find her a kindred spirit
Leaving really sharpens the mind, doesn’t it? It’s a blessing but also sad in that you don’t get the benefit of staying and learning with your new appreciation. You have to appreciate from afar.
I have not!! I just added it to my Goodreads. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful Shelby! Believe it or not but your Native Texan dad misses California too. I miss all the wonderful things you mentioned here. What do I miss the most? Our house in Yorba Linda and being with all of you there.
I had this saved in my inbox for the chance to give it the time it deserves, and I'm so glad I did. Your words are beautiful and moving. I'm an East Coast girlie but I've been reflecting recently on the power of place and the joy (and even duty, I'd say) to love the places we've been given, so your reflections resonate a lot. I worry about tribalism and us-vs-them mentality, but somewhat paradoxically I think a deeper love for our particular places will actually help us become more united, not less. I love your recommendation to pick up a book about the place you live. Thank you for sharing your heart with us! And the superbloom—oh my gosh!!
The love of place is a duty in a sense and a practice in gratitude. I find that it does tend to make people less partisan when they love the place they live in, the land particularly. I’m loving something greater lesser loves fade and we’re all better for it! And yes the super bloom was amaaazing.
This is lovely. We left Whittier in 2019. I wish we would have crossed paths! I relate to this so much, especially the disdain for California expressed in more conservative areas. People were surprised to hear about the (yes, Dispensational ha!) Bible Belt in LA/OC. I love the greenery in my area of the Midwest, but oh, I miss those mountains.
I wish that too! We were in Yorba Linda, so not too far away.
Yes people are always so surprised! When my husband and I first started dating one of his relatives was very pleased when he heard I was from OC, and said “lots of conservatives there”. 😅 So I guess we have somewhat of a different reputation that other Californians!
I’m sobbing, this was beautiful, I have no words big sis. I think about home every day, truly
❤️❤️❤️
Oh you KNOW how I feel about California. Even though I grew up in the Bay Area, bit of a different climate, different landscape, so much of what you said resonates with me as well. And that poem made my heart ache. I’m so appreciative of the opportunity to live in Georgia, and to have experienced Texas for a short time, but nothing will ever quite compare to the Golden State 💛
Yes!! It was my post on my old blog that originally connected us!Nothing will ever compare quite the same 🥲 but I am finding the longer I live in Georgia, the more I appreciate it. I hope it’s the same for you 🫶🏻
This is lovely. I also only understand how much my childhood landscape shapes me when I left.
Have you read The Land of Little Rain by Mary Austin? It’s a series of essays from the early 20th century about the land around the Sierra Nevadas. I’ve never been in that area but she describes it so lovingly and vividly. I think you would find her a kindred spirit
Leaving really sharpens the mind, doesn’t it? It’s a blessing but also sad in that you don’t get the benefit of staying and learning with your new appreciation. You have to appreciate from afar.
I have not!! I just added it to my Goodreads. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful Shelby! Believe it or not but your Native Texan dad misses California too. I miss all the wonderful things you mentioned here. What do I miss the most? Our house in Yorba Linda and being with all of you there.
I miss that too Dad 😔
I had this saved in my inbox for the chance to give it the time it deserves, and I'm so glad I did. Your words are beautiful and moving. I'm an East Coast girlie but I've been reflecting recently on the power of place and the joy (and even duty, I'd say) to love the places we've been given, so your reflections resonate a lot. I worry about tribalism and us-vs-them mentality, but somewhat paradoxically I think a deeper love for our particular places will actually help us become more united, not less. I love your recommendation to pick up a book about the place you live. Thank you for sharing your heart with us! And the superbloom—oh my gosh!!
The love of place is a duty in a sense and a practice in gratitude. I find that it does tend to make people less partisan when they love the place they live in, the land particularly. I’m loving something greater lesser loves fade and we’re all better for it! And yes the super bloom was amaaazing.
Yes! As we give ourselves to greater loves, the lesser ones fade. Perfect!
I love this! Thank you for writing it!
Miss having you guys here. 🥰
Miss you guys too!! ❤️
This is lovely. We left Whittier in 2019. I wish we would have crossed paths! I relate to this so much, especially the disdain for California expressed in more conservative areas. People were surprised to hear about the (yes, Dispensational ha!) Bible Belt in LA/OC. I love the greenery in my area of the Midwest, but oh, I miss those mountains.
I wish that too! We were in Yorba Linda, so not too far away.
Yes people are always so surprised! When my husband and I first started dating one of his relatives was very pleased when he heard I was from OC, and said “lots of conservatives there”. 😅 So I guess we have somewhat of a different reputation that other Californians!