When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
By
Gerry Niskern
That old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” I can sure relate to that.
I moved from our home of 25 years on the side of the North Phoenix Mountains where we commanded a view of the whole Valley of the Sun. I always had the happy feeling of going on vacation when I pulled up the drive and went inside to see the whole valley below thru the tall windows, or better yet from the balcony across the entire front of the house.
I loved seeing the beautiful, pastel and silvery sunrises bursting over Piestawa Peak at dawn. In the evening I cherished the fantastic golden, pink Arizona sunset many days at dusk. We didn’t have to watch the weather forecast. We knew when Glendale was getting rain, and could see the giant rolling dust storms coming from the Southeast and covering the downtown skyline before actually being warned by the TV weather lady.
We reveled in the twinkling city lights every evening and on the Fourth of July we marveled at Fireworks from a dozen towns and venues from our ringside seats on the balcony. I admit it. We felt a little superior with our “window to the world.”
But, eventually, I moved to a darling little house on the same street, just around the corner. Sadly, instead of being on the mountain, facing the valley, I was facing the mountain. No more sunrises and sunsets. My view from the backyard was cut off from Mother Nature’s colorful sky paintings by a two story house and lots of trees.
While they were lifting and carrying, the movers spotted a road runner in the new back yard. “It’s the largest one I’ve ever seen,” they said. Try as I might, over the months, I didn’t see him, but many other people caught a glimpse and exclaimed at his size. Then one day, while eating breakfast, I had that feeling that someone was looking at me. There Mr. Roadrunner was. Sitting on the sill of the living room picture window and looking at me. He stayed a while and then hopped down and ran up the street on his long legs.
Any morning that I look out back I see a little bunny or two. Seems like there is a steady crop of tiny bunnies. They always find a tasty clumps of grass to nibble on. They don’t like little carrots I provided. They hop right past them. Maybe the Momma rabbit warned them about processed food!
In the evening when I step out the front door and look up at the mountain I see tiny little hikers running around on the very top. They seem to be celebrating reaching the summit. It’s like a miniature puppet show. But before I can take a step, there, running across in front of me is a family of Quail. Papa, Mama, and dozen little fuzzy chicks in a line scurrying to catch up. They didn’t hesitate to take the right – of- way. My front yard seems to be their ancient trail.
Other evenings I enjoy watching a para-glider catching the heat thermos above mountain. His loops and swoops are fascinating entertainment.
I have to admit I’ve lived here on the desert since I was a kid, but I never really paid a lot of attention to the desert flora and fauna. I’ve been fascinated watching the giant Saguaro cactus in the front yard forming its crown of white flowers in the spring. And last year the two smaller Saguaros were given a crown of white flowers. ( Arizona’s state flower!) The Organ Pipe cactus also grows red fruit and The birds love the treat, but they have to sit on the fruit while pecking at it for their meal. It’s quite a balancing act and fun to watch them sometimes lose their balance.
Best of all, the back yard had a very old Lemon tree. It produces tons of lemons the size of small grapefruit. I’ve made gallons of lemonade and I’ve given dozens of bags of lemons away. I’ve had the chance to meet neighbors who asked to pick some as they had always done in the past.
So, if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a glass of lemonade.
Who knows? We might spot that “ neighborhood ” Roadrunner!