I’ve been thinking about this shot I swiped from over to Miss Janey’s for a couple of reasons. First, it’s always hard to take a picture of tall palm trees without some stupid power line getting in the picture, so congrats to the Janey for pulling this off.
Plus, it reminds me that in the common American parlance, palm trees are a symbol of exoticness. And yet, I have never lived any where that they didn’t thrive as a part of the landscape. Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco, they all got ‘em littering the joints. It’s like feral parrots and a complete lack of snow: it’s the norm for half of the country, but in the popular imagination, it’s like they’ve never been seen.
And don’t get me started on tamales.
Plus, it reminds me that in the common American parlance, palm trees are a symbol of exoticness. And yet, I have never lived any where that they didn’t thrive as a part of the landscape. Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco, they all got ‘em littering the joints. It’s like feral parrots and a complete lack of snow: it’s the norm for half of the country, but in the popular imagination, it’s like they’ve never been seen.
And don’t get me started on tamales.
I don't want to get anyone started on tamales. I couldn't handle the smell.
ReplyDeleteDon't talk to me. I happen to know you're stuffing yourself with figs from your backyard. Swine.
ReplyDeleteAs a boy from a small, dark, rainy, snowy city in the northeast, even after a decade abroad it never fails to amaze me that I live surrounded by palm trees. They've become something I don't want to live without.
ReplyDeleteWell, that and the household help, but that's another story...
I viewed this post as a challenge as I was positive I had myriad palm tree photos from my previous life in L.A. Alas, but you are right, Peenee, nary a shot exists without a powerline ruining the beautiful blue skies!
ReplyDeleteA few years back Mayor Daley lined Michigan Ave. in Chicago with potted palms, it made the city look absolutely gorgeous but was odd at the same time!
Now that its smog season here in SoCal, Miss J expects that's the last blue sky she'll photograph for a while.
ReplyDeleteWhat doesn't Mr. P have a fig tree of his own? They tolerate almost soil...
Much like tomatoes and basil, it's too chilly here for figs to do well.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy our palm tree in the back yard, telephone wires notwithstanding. It's so majestic. And when there's a breeze and its palm fronds rustle and it sways, it's fun to watch. But I'm easy to please that way...
ReplyDeleteI love the Palm Trees in Palm Springs that are up lit at night...they are beautiful & unwordly.
ReplyDelete