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 recently 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.

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 seethe giant rolling dust storms coming from the Southeast and covering the downtown skyline before being warned by the TV weather lady.

We reveled in  the twinkling city lites every evening and on the Fourth of July we marveled at  Fireworks from a dozen towns and venues from our balcony. I admit it. We felt a little superior with out “window to the world.”

But then a few months ago, I moved to a darling little house on the same street, just around the corner. Sadly,  instead of being on the mountain, 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’ve never seen him, but many other people have caught a glimpse and exclaimed at his siz

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. They hop right past them. Maybe the Momma rabbit warned them about processed food!

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 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.

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 Sauraurara in the front yard forming its crown of white flowers in the spring. The Organ Pipe cactus also grows red fruit in the spring. The birds love the fruit, 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 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 “huge” Roadrunner!