Second life

It's been about six years since the tecoma tree outside the house last bloomed this profusely. In recent years, with only a scattering of flowers each time, I'd begun to wonder if the tree was getting old and losing its ability to put on a real show. The last bloom was just about three weeks ago—short and underwhelming. I think I spent no more than a week sweeping the porch and the road. And then, out of the blue, the tree exploded into bloom again—this time with a vengeance! It's like it suddenly remembered what it was capable of. So yes, it’s sweeping time again... but I'm not complaining.

Random update: When I first moved into this neighbourhood back in December 2004, there were quite a number of tecoma trees along the road, all planted by the developer. But over the years, they were chopped down one by one. The tree outside my house is, unfortunately, the last one standing. I’ve resisted calls to cut it down too—because apart from the flowers, it gives me a lot of shade in the afternoons. My house faces west, so the afternoon sun can be quite a nuisance at times. For the minor inconvenience of having to sweep the porch maybe once or twice a year, the tree gives me cool shade, and for that, I’m very thankful. As long as I’m able, the tree stays.