Yes, Val, the leaf blower-orange tree tale is definitely one for the Babalublog book.
Yes, that project is still alive, and making small --but steady-- progress.
You and I will talk more about it at the next CubaNostalgia.
Great tale, beautifully written, by the way.
Do you know if there is anybody in South Florida selling any canker-resistance citrus varieties?
I had at least five citrus trees in the backyard of my house in Miami, though at this point I don't know if those trees were cut or not (more than likely, yes, because I know some neighbors well within that 1,000 yard zone who lost theirs. But I have never received any compensation for them.
That means that, as soon as I move back to Florida, I have to go and sue somebody!
Bastards!
Julio

I love that story! And hooray for a Babalu book! You probably already have a long list of grammar police for proof reading purposes, but just in case you want one more in reserve, I can volunteer some time. Good luck with the endeavor. :)

Val--I loved this story--it's one of the best I've read anywhere. The way you told it, I can just picture your Mom showing off that tree. I hope you will collect more stories of this same quality and put them in a book.

that was a fantastic story. beautifully written. emotive. and yes, i voted!