But I just got a heavenly half flat of strawberries from the farmer’s market 5 minutes down the road, and yesterday I went to the ultimate in geeky craftiness, the Maker Faire. I so want to move away from here, but I can’t imagine not having these experiences. And these strawberries.

As a gardener, there is simply no comparison. My great-grandmother could grow anything in her little garden in Santa Cruz (I mean even seeds from dried flower arrangements). My grandmothers grew every flower and vegetable you can imagine in Northern California. My mother can make a garden luxurious in the San Joaquin Valley heat.

When I met my husband and moved to Southern California a whole new tropical palette opened up to me. Instead of focusing on the congestion, I focused on my garden. I now have a full vegetable garden as well as stone fruits, avocados, olives, guava, mango and banana. It’s easy to complain about the traffic, but I prefer to remember that my early plums will be ripe soon while my friends in Brooklyn are still waiting to plant tomatoes. Am I gloating? Yep…little bit.

There are few places in the US as lovely as NoCal, IMHO. And the fresh produce? Peerless. And you would have easy access to The French Laundry. Need I say more?

Hold onto the dream, Mrs. Henry, hold onto the dream!