JulieLeung.com: a life told in tidepools

Orange is Ted’s favorite color. When he told me, years ago, I was surprised. Orange?! Orange was for plastic pumpkins and popsicles that stained your face. Orange was warning signs for construction workers and florescent vests for crosswalk guards. It seemed artificial. Unnatural. Excessive.

Perhaps it’s the osmosis that comes with marriage. But I like orange now. In fact I’ve chosen it to be one of the theme colors of our garden. These California poppies surprised me by returning this spring. We planted some seed a year ago and now at least six plants are blooming, spreading through the strip of dirt. Many of my neighbors have grass beside the sidewalk but instead of green we have orange, glowing in the sun. You can notice it at a distance while driving around the neighborhood. Orange marks the spot. But it’s not artificial. It’s wild. Vibrant. Alive. Maybe crazy. I like it.