Old Lady Funch’s tree

 
The story behind this tree is one of my favourites from childhood. I meant to photograph it last time I was here but didn’t get a chance.

A conversation with my father, who has lived here most of his life:

Dad: “Old Lady Funch owned Fig Garden Village, the premier classy shopping centre in Fresno. And she had so much political pull, that when the city decided they were going to widen the street to four lanes in front of her house, she convinced the city to move the curb [kerb] and the sidewalk around her tree so they wouldn’t take it.”

Me: “When was this?”

Dad: “Oh gee — ’60s? ’70s? Her family had so much political pull that they allowed the Fig Garden shopping centre when it was way, way north of Fresno, so they jumped the city boundaries considerably, and they let her do it.”

Me: “What was the lesson from the tree you mentioned earlier today?”

Dad: “You’d like to think it was a little old lady standing in front of a bulldozer with her hands out in front, saying, ‘no, no’, but the reality is it was a rich old lady with a lot of political contacts.”

Me: “No, Daddy! That wasn’t the lesson.”

Dad: “Oh! (chuckles) If it makes you feel better… the lesson is that one person can make a difference.”

 

a closer view

 

the front of Old Lady Funch’s house
 

Terrace Avenue, Fresno

 
I found this on the way to take another picture and had to stop. My dad was holding two umbrellas — one for himself and one for my camera. Thanks, Dad.

 

Harrison Street, Fresno

 
We spotted this one on the way back. I was scared the homeowner was going to appear, and I couldn’t imagine what that person must be like. There were many more yard tchotchkes, but I didn’t get them all in the frame.

—–

For the first time in my life, someone I know is homeless, after battling addiction for longer than I’ve been alive. This person is not ready to get help.

We hear so much about the notion of hitting rock bottom, but what if someone is not capable of reaching that point? Are we meant to sit around and feel powerless while we wait for them to have their a-ha moment or die?

We’ve been debating whether or not someone can ever hit “rock bottom” and make the choice to want to get better if suffering from mental illness. Maybe it’s unfair to demand that it be up to the individual. But the alternative breaks hearts (and banks) when people revert to their old ways.

In the meantime, I’ve learned that hot meals, bottled water, phone cards and hand warmers (the chemical packets that you snap to activate) all make welcome gifts that won’t likely be traded for something else.

Not two days before I took this photograph, Sparky told me he’d read that rainbows are complete circles when viewed from airplanes. And I didn’t believe him.

 
I’m here in Yankee Land, and I’m safe and sound. It’s not that cold, surprisingly.

How funny, too, right after a cold, rainy weekend away on the Great Ocean Road. You’d be forgiven for your confusion if reminded that it’s supposedly summer in Melbourne and winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Hmmm.

 

Otway Fly: the little bitty things in this photograph are people and giant tree ferns. Not a tourist attraction for those afraid of heights or wobbly walking surfaces.

 
I’d wanted to partake in the Otway Fly treetop walk for quite awhile, so I was glad when Sparky indulged me. I’ve also wanted a giant tree fern in front of my home for ages, like I’ve seen in front of some terrace houses in Melbourne. But after seeing so many happily living in their natural element (the rainiest spot in Victoria, the sign said), I’m not sure I could deny one a more meaningful family existence.

Also happily living in the Otways: carnivorous black snails. Eww.

 

the “12″ Apostles, Great Ocean Road

 
I finally got to see the 12 Apostles, too, although they seem to have deathwishes (see pile of rubble in foreground, above) and now there are only eight. It was nice to see them finally. I feel like I have been hiding in a cave these past few years — it’s refreshing to get out and travel again.

I’m off to Lake County for the next few days, to see family I haven’t seen since before I moved back to Melbourne. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone and visiting the cemetery where my grandparents (and great grandparents, etc.) are buried. I’m not looking forward to the 5 1/2 hour drive.