Life: Idiotropic

Clementines. Mandarinas. And so many more varieties that I can't name. They surround me. There is no where that I can go here where I don't see field after field of these sweet fragrant citrus. And sometimes, you can even smell it on the wind.

Today we drove just outside our neighborhood - only a kilometer from our house, to a small nursery and asked if we could pick some oranges. They brought us a case, told us to twist them carefully and not to pull or the soft peel will come off as well, and to trim stems or they will stab the other oranges. Don't pick ones that are overly orange - and a little green is ok. They will be delicious. And we were set loose. The kids loved it getting excited over the really big ones and the really tiny ones. The only drawback is that unlike the blueberries of last year, we can't freeze these, so we are limited by how many we can eat in the next few days.

Kirk brought them to the counter. Three men picked through them, looked at each one making sure they were good ones and trimming the stems that the girls missed in their enthusiasm for picking. I asked to pay. No, not this time. A case of free oranges that we picked ourselves. Amazing.

I love this place. They know me there now - I go often for plants. And they are always so friendly. The girls loved picking. I told them we'll go every week until the season is over or we're sick of oranges... what ever happens first. The flavor - more intense than any orange I've ever tasted. Oh so good. I won't tire quickly.

PHOTOS of the GIRLS picking: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=165455&id=674507268&l=55dcef0ccc