For many years, when I looked out across our farm, I saw avocados. I enjoyed sharing life on a Southern California farm with all of you.
Avocados became part of the rhythm of our lives—the seasons, the weather, the irrigation, the harvests, and all the surprises that come with trying to grow something for a living. They also became the inspiration for Mimi Avocado and for so many of the stories I’ve shared here over the years.
But farms change.
And, as it turns out, so do farmers.
A New Season on the Farm
The land doesn’t stay exactly the same from year to year. Trees grow older. Crops change. Weather changes. Markets change. We make decisions we never expected to make, and sometimes we find ourselves interested in things we never imagined would become part of our lives.
That is happening here.
Avocados are still part of our farm and part of our story. But lately, something else has been capturing my attention: protea.
Actually, I should say Proteaceae, because I’m quickly discovering that what I casually called “protea” is an entire family of fascinating plants—Protea, Leucospermum (pincushions), Leucadendron, Banksia and more.
And I have a lot to learn.
Becoming a Beginner Again
That’s one of the things I’m enjoying most.
I’m not coming to you as a protea expert. I’m coming to you as someone who is curious.
I’m learning which varieties grow well here, what they need, when they bloom, how they’re harvested and why one plant can look completely different from another member of the same family. I’m learning their names—and occasionally trying to remember which name belongs to which plant!
There’s something rather wonderful about becoming a beginner again.
At this stage of life, it would be very easy to stick with the things I already know. Instead, I find myself wanting to learn new things, make things, grow things and see where my curiosity takes me.
Protea happens to be one of those new directions.
More Than a Change in Crops
Perhaps that’s why the changes on the farm feel connected to changes in my own life.
My interests have expanded. Music has always been an important part of my world, as I have taught piano and directed choirs for most of my career. Now instead of teaching, I’m the one practicing and taking lessons with a great flute teacher. I’m still playing with Coastal Communities Concert Band.
I have been taking art classes online with a wonderful teacher as well, something brand new that I never tried before. Most recently I have started weight training with an encouraging coach in addition to the Pilates I have enjoyed twice a week for years with Greta Bolton of Studio Radiance. All of these things prove that it is never too late to start something new!
And I still have a farm, a family, projects, ideas and plenty of stories to tell.
So Mimi Avocado is changing, too.
You’ll still find avocados here. They’re part of who I am and how this blog began. But you’ll also begin seeing protea and flowers, farm life, music, art, fitness, and some thoughts about what it’s like to keep discovering new interests as the years go by.
I don’t know exactly where all of this will lead.
But maybe that’s the best part.
The farm is changing. I’m changing. And life on Southern California farms is changing
I’m looking forward to sharing what grows next.