|
.jpg) Ever eat the fruit from a cactus bush? If you've tried prickly pear, then you have!
Prickly pear used to be extremely widespread in the "wild west" and is still commonly found in the western U.S. today. In the Belwood area of Los Gatos, you can find it in at least three places: along Harwood Road, on Bacigalupi Drive and at Westhill and Belgatos Roads.
The fruit makes a nice jelly or can be eaten raw.
It's more than just a hearty fruit on a formidable looking plant, though. Back in the days of settlers, this cactus had an extremely important use, it kept the bears out. It grows into something of a tall, thick wall and develops large, strong, sharp needles. You'd think twice before getting too close to it. So did the grizzlies.
So the settlers grew prickly pear around the perimeter of their homes like a tall fence or wall, and the cabins were much better fortified against hungry intruders with sharp teeth and claws. All the better that each year, the fruit would ripen and could be consumed or preserved too!
Next time you see this local cactus, remember the wild west, imagine how important it would be to you and be glad that today, we think of this plant for food and landscaping only and not for home protection.
|
|
Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
.jpg) Travel is the undisputed passion in my household. It trumps almost everything else: remodeling, artwork, new furniture, you name it. (OK, not education. We pay a lot of tuition here and have never regretted it.)
When I learned that Sellabration, the annual educational conference of the Certified Residentail Specialists (CRS, of which I am a member), was being held in Hawaii rather than the usual Vegas in January of 2008, I knew I had to go. Late last night I returned from 5 days on O'Ahu - first with my family and then later with my Realtor colleagues as I took classes in real estate - working with buyers and sellers in this challenging market.
It was a great trip, from start to finish. (Even if I did bring the rain with me!) We had a few sunny patches that were ideal for visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center, the beaches, the pineapple plantation, snorkeling, or just being out in the cherished sun. At other times, the rain came down in buckets, to our surprise. "It's unseasonal" they kept insisting. No matter, we were on vacation and we were having a great time.
.jpg) The amazing thing that I wanted to share, though, is that our small town of Los Gatos seems to have an amazingly big presence on the national scene. I kept bumping into Realtors who were not from Los Gatos, but who were familiar with it.
"How'd you get so lucky that you live in Los Gatos?" said one woman to me at a booth there. Over and over, I met agents who had wonderful experiences of living or visiting here in Los Gatos - even if their homes were no where near our fair abode. One gal even told me about renting a room in a house in Los Gatos, only to discover it was haunted. I happen to collect stories of haunted homes - what are the odds?
So I return home, an ambassador Realtor, to tell you this: Los Gatos is not so much of a secret after all.
.jpg) That's both good news and bad news, isn't it? On the one hand, we want people to know and savor our town. On the other, we don't want to be overrun with so many enthusiastic visitors so that the town becomes more like a mega-mall. No Hilo Hattie's for us. No Westfield Los Gatos, please.
My friends in Seattle joke, "tell everyone there that it rains here constantly". They don't want any more Californians to move there. Perhaps we should take that approach. "It is a great town, but it costs an arm and a leg to live here."
Maybe that would do the trick?
Probably not. I don't think there's a way that we could make it a secret anymore.
So go ahead, tell people it's a great town. Tell them to visit.
The cat's out of the bag already.
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
Perhaps the most hotly contested and divisive issue in the history of Los Gatos has been the skatepark ballot initiative. It is upsetting to see how much hostility has emerged.
The Los Gatos Observer carries the controvery in an "up close and personal" kind of way. There have been an inordinate about of personal opinions, rebuttals, comments, and accusations - all found on this news site's pages. It's a soap opera with a political bent.
As for me: I have just one request. Please vote. My hope is that the town gets a huge turnout next Tuesday and that the voters will speak their peace and then we will HAVE peace. Truthfully, I am sick of the complaints. Most of them are coming from the "pro D" camp, but they are found on both sides. I am sick of the stolen political signs. And perhaps most of all, I am sick of the villification of the other side. There are good people on both sides of the argument and it is sickening to read the villification of folks on the other side of the argument. Arguments could be made for voting either way - so let's leave the "ad hominems" out of it.
Vote.
And then, please, let's move forward.
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
 It's been a little busy for blogging lately but I didn't want the holiday season to go by without sending my warmest wishes to my friends and readers. Many of our friends celebrate Hanukkah - and I hope it was a happy one for each and every one of them. What a beautiful festival, a true festival of lights.
We celebrate Christmas in our home, and the days leading up to it can be a bit hectic for us, as they are for many of you. (On top of that, this blogger was sick for about 10 days and also changed brokerages mid-month. So lots was going on!) It can be hard to catch your breath and think about the deeper meanings to all of it. . . .
But now, it's Christmas Eve. Everything is really done. Life is quieting down at the Handy household in Belwood, and we get to just enjoy the next couple of days and reflect on why they are so important to us. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope that for you these days will be meaningful, peaceful and fun. Merry Christmas! (And if not, I hope the days will bring helpful R & R for you, and a chance to visit friends or get in some skiing or other fun.)
 And for everyone...Happy New Year!
2007 was challenging for those of us in real estate and related fields. Too many people lost their jobs or were harmed by a difficult market this last year (a story that I think was underreported). We are hopeful that 2008 will be stable and maybe even improved here in Silicon Valley. Hope is an important part of this season for all of us, no matter what we celebrate specifically.
May the coming year bring you happiness, good health, a sunny disposition, and many, many blessings. And above all, may it bring you a deep and joyful sense of hope.
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
Please stop by Intero's Willow Glen office
today to donate new or gently used:
Blankets, Pillows, Cots, Tents
Sleeping Bags, Air Mattresses, Canopies, Toys, Sunscreen, Paper Towels, Water, Handi Wipes, Toilet paper,
Paper Plates, Cups, Utensils,
Pet food, Carriers, Leashes
There are more than 300,000 people who have been evacuated from their homes.
Graebel Moving (408.273.1955) has donated
a trailer truck and a driver.
Intero Real Estate Services and Mary Ann Wallace
have provided the vision and
Presentation High School
is helping to get the word out and take collections.
The trailer will be located at:
Intero Real Estate Services
1567 Meridian Ave
San Jose, Ca 95125
Today, Sunday from 9am-5pm or until it is full.
All items will be delivered to Father Joe's Villages
which has a warehouse to
accept and distribute the supplies.
Thank you for your support!
Any questions, concerns or ideas please call:
Mary Ann Wallace
408.307.0055
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
Live in Los Gatos:
A blog about Los Gatos real estate, homes, houses, condos, townhomes, housing market, neightborhoods, history, events, businesses, parks, schools, photos, issues, and lifestyle.
|
.jpg)
Just before Thanksgiving, the Festival of Lights reappeared at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. It is a light extravaganza in the holiday spirit!
RSS Blog Feed
