I enjoy watching small trees as they grow. Certainly a sign of old-er age, often I will say with excitement, “Look how much that tree has grown this year!” Having planted over 150 small trees out here in the California Dust Bowl (winds are forecasted to reach 50 miles per hour today…80 kph for those who live where measurements actually make sense), I say, “Look how much that tree has grown” a lot.
One tree we planted 2 years ago was a Chandler English Walnut. Now, walnuts are next to black licorice on my list of “Things I would prefer never to eat again.” They are even a step below cauliflower. However, I love watching the walnuts forming and growing and then collecting them. I also enjoy cracking them while trying to get the meat out in perfect halves.
Last year, the little tree produced two nuts. This year, drum roll and trumpets sound, I got twenty four walnuts.
So, being one who struggles living in the ‘Here and Now’ – I ask myself, “How many walnuts next year from my little tree?” Will it increase by twenty two again or increase by another 1100%? (check my math 24 – 2/ then divide by 2 and then times by 100 ) Or, perhaps some number in the middle of those two options. Over five hundred walnuts seems a bit too hopeful. I am going to guess a 400% increase to around one hundred walnuts next year. (I know most people would find such a topic, calculations, and forecasting to be bordering on obsessive and really, really boring, but I love watching those trees grow.)

Twenty Four Walnuts Sitting in a Bowl
You really don’t love walnuts? Man, I wish I could grow them!
Your orchard sounds wonderful. Planting a tree is an act of faith and a gift to future generations.
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No, I do not like them with green eggs and ham, Sam I am… it causes a bit of a conflict for some during Holiday fudge season though. I love everything about them except their taste….but I have the palatal taste buds of a spoiled 3 year old!
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😀
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I do love walnuts and cauliflower, but I finally found someone who doesn’t like black licorice as much as I do lol, my dad would eat it by the handfuls, I had to leave the room. 😊
I would love to grow an almond tree, hopefully one day I will get the chance.
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There are certain root beer brands that taste like black licorice to me. I remember looking at teeth and gums lined in black from eating black licorice…oh save me…now red licorice, not too shabby.
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Walnuts ROCK!!!
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Oh no. No, no, no. But I will trade them for a couple of those cookies you bake!
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P.s…gonna plant an almond tree this winter, if we get some rain!
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Im with you on the licorice but love walnuts and cauliflower cheese is a favourite. Amazing having a walnut tree though. You must be thrilled with all the produce you grow.
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I picked a Granny Smith Apple today, took a crunchy bite and thought, “Wow. How wonderful to just pick an apple and eat it!l” … No wonder Eve was tempted!..Let’s see how many walnuts next year…
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Fascinating, Gary. I used to love black liquorice sherbet growing up. A package of sherbet to dip the liquorice in, absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, I don’t think they sell them anymore.
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Never heard of that combination, Len. Is there anything more unique than our taste buds? Make a good topic for your short story fiction! Hope you are all settled in up there.
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How quickly we get used to things. Seems like I never lived anywhere else.
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Wonderful! It has taken us almost 3 years to begin to get used to our new place. Looks like you two made a great decision.
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