thank you

Earlier this year, our neighbor chopped down the avocado tree in their yard.

Their avocados were HUGE, creamy...too bad I learned to like them a little too late in life (I was a super picky eater growing up).

My brother says other avocados will never taste as good.

The owner's mother, (before the owners that live here now) planted the tree from seed many many moons ago.

Man, the tree was at least two or three stories high...

The ripe avocados would literally bomb our roof as well as theirs (even taking out a couple of their skylights)

The roots have crawled under the dividing stone wall and part of our patio foundation.

And the falling leaves would be constant.

But, there was so much shade that it gave us, and I loved the sound of the rustling leaves in the wind.

Even the owners (now) would hang out under the tree and talk story.

They say that all good things have to come to an end.

I'll miss the tree, the avocados and especially the shade...thank you!

On another note, it was a short 4 weeks or so for me in Hawaii, lots of eating, lots of terrorizing bonding with my furry niece, lots of catching up with friends and family.

I appreciate Satoshi for always letting me do this once a year...thank you!

I'm heading back to Osaka today.

Be well everyone!