Hey John, that sounded great, how’d it go? Anything ripe yet, cherries..?

I miss my hometown, Portland… Looks like I’ll be leaving my homestead ‘out here,’ the repercussions of a failed 29 year marriage. It’s something I’ve been dealing with for the past 6 years and has pulled me away from many activities as I’ve struggled to maintain it while working away in a futile attempt to buy it back... Right now, my full-time effort is to get this ‘century farm’ listed for sale.

Usually I’ll haul my bike into Portland once a year, traversing the old hood … then ending up at the top of Tabor. Don’t know if I could handle the density of the city though after ..35 years in the woods. So I’m considering a move to the Coast. I’ve family over there and appreciate the isolation and slower pace. Don’t know what I’d be able to grow in the form of ‘tree fruit,’ or if I’ve the heart to even start over...

I’d likely continue to prune for various folks here in ‘the valley.’ Each have assured me I’d not go without fruit, if only needing to visit them at harvest time. I was in Klamath Falls around 6 years ago, during the three hottest days of that year – 108 in Medford! There were fruit trees and abundant water throughout Klamath Falls. And, inexpensive houses in eclectic neighborhoods…

Anyway… that’s ‘where I’m at’ ~ with little idea where I’m going

Thanks, John. I remember the difficult time for you, but you’re obviously a hard man to keep down! Only hope I’m as resilient

I’d researched ‘school orchards’ and ‘school gardens’ several years back and considered suggesting/ presenting such an idea to my local school board. …But I couldn’t envision them giving up an inch of turf for a ‘tree,’ too many of those around here as is! Though I’ve long envisioned their sprawling fields full of fruit trees and vegetables. I suppose that’ll happen first in Portland, if anywhere. Another reason I miss it…

The saddest orchard tours I’ve taken have been with longtime HOS members having decided to sell their homes and orchards, if by choice. My dream was to pass mine on, as it was to me. With a third of this ‘century farm’ now having been on ‘my watch,’ I suspect it will forever haunt me having lost it on the same… Having held on as long as possible, even allowing a massive ‘clear cut’ in hope of securing the funds, the logging operation was botched and came in nowhere near what had been ‘estimated.’ It's hurt

My daughters are doing well, and have remained top students on into college. But just as the pull of ‘the woods’ apparently had a major influence on me, having grown up in the city - the pull of ‘the city’ seems strongest on them … at least for the moment. And at the moment, I can’t do this alone.

You’re right, lot’s of work into the place. And as a friend said, “A big chunk of you will stay in those hills.” Yup. But as mentioned, this has been going on for years now, so I’m nearly, if not comfortably numb…

Sounds like I may be limited to rhubarb at the Coast … or crab apples. My Dad’s over there and can’t even get raspberries to live. But every visit he proudly shows off the Fig start I’d given him 4 or 5 years ago …it’s nearly half as tall as me! He’s basically in sand, though. A sister-in-law helped establish an experimental community garden at the local library, including espaliered apples and strawberries.

I recently met the new owners of a coastal place and ID’d a nice plumb in their yard (with help from an ingrown tag) as a Burbank Red Ace. No fruit set, and they couldn’t remember if it had even bloomed, though I’m sure it had. I told them I’d discovered a pollinator and will keep them in mind if I come across some wood next Spring.. They were tickled!

Sure hope there’s something rewarding beyond this… And I’ll continue to do my best around here, likely getting into the big city for a couple of our events, as I’ve done. Of the many organizations and activities I’ve been involved with, this is the only one in which I’m currently active. Guess a big part of ‘this’ is in me, too ~