In the Quiet Morning

 I sit on the back porch. The sun is up and shining brightly, but it has yet to start serving its obnoxious heat. And in truth, it isn’t quiet. With the legions of crows and ducks and song birds, there is a peaceful cacophony meeting my ears.

Southern California.

I left here 34 years ago vowing never to come back. I had a strong dislike for this place, particularly for the Inland Empire. So, isn’t it ironic I find myself back here and actually like it? Hmm, what has changed?

When I lived here before, it was in central Riverside, walking distance to downtown. While that sounds good, I seldom did. There was no reason to go downtown Riverside. Nothing there.

All of Los Angeles’ smog was funneled through Riverside and San Bernardino. Air quality was horrible! I was commuting 40 minutes each way to a graveyard shift job for scant pay. I had little spare money.

I was in a bad relationship. It was not the best of times.

Now, I am about 25 miles south if Riverside in the heart of Sun City, California (not to be confused with the inferior Sun City, Arizona). Technically speaking, I am within walking distance of downtown Sun City. There really isn’t a downtown Sun City (a dated, half empty strip mall takes its place) and I can’t walk that far now, but technically speaking…

 There are mountains or hills or whatever you want to call the big clumps of dirt and rocks to our west that block the worst of the pollution. I am ‘retired’ so there is no frustrating commute to a low paying job. I can easily live within my means.

My relationship with Karla is good. Okay, I snap occasionally. She may speak unkindly of me at times, but all in all it is good. And I have spaces (small) to garden, and lots of space for potted plants. Content.

It ain’t Hood River, but I am making do!