A profusion of pink greeted me as I opened the front door to go for a stroll down First Street— a crepe myrtle tree heavy with blossoms, rose bushes galore in pinks and blushes, geraniums in pots, and lush hydrangea pretty in pink and purple. On the Marina there were ten tiny sailboats each crewed by a middle school student learning to sail under the auspices of the Benicia Yacht Club. One little fellow capsized but was thrown a bucket and started bailing like crazy.
Saturday, a week and a day before the Fourth, and the street was jumpin’. All sorts of fancy and souped-up cars lined the sidewalks. ChristinaS had a fun display of socks for sale out front — everybody from Kamala to Nancy Pelosi has a sock. There was Joe Biden and even Greta Thunberg. AOC and Dr. Fauci have socks, as well. You could buy several pair and wear one person on one foot and another person on the other. Any combo would be compatible.
Have wondered what the business is with the Western Union Sign on the corner of East H called Thriftie D’s. Danielle Lew, the proprietor, provides educational support and on-the-job training for youth. She said people still send money through Western Union. They do DMV registration and also run a small consignment shop, all to further programs for kids. Met three of the kids who were super friendly.
Be careful what you decide to give away or regift. Benicia is a small town. Was shopping in a First Street store a few weeks ago where I spied a piece of folk art, similar to many that I collect and unusual for this venue. It sure looked just like one I gave a friend a couple of years before as a thank you gift for doing me a favor. Sure enough, when I examined it, I saw the same worn areas at the bottom. I’m happy to have the piece back, even if I had to pay for it twice.
Stopped by Gallery 621 and learned that they have to vacate the premises by August —a major surprise and disappointment. If you know of any available rentals, please let them know. Dropped by the HQ Gallery and loved Joyce Byrum’s ceramics — Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyacan and a dwelling decked out in Tibetan prayer flags. Bought a tiny water color by Samantha McNally and a stunning card with a close-up of a hummingbird by wildlife photographer Ok Kyong. Mary Lou Correia from Martinez was tending the Plein Air Gallery. Many years ago I bought one of her paintings in Mendocino without knowing her or where it was painted. It’s the classic view across the Strait of brightly colored box cars set against green East Bay Regional Park District hills. Now I’m lucky enough to see that view everyday.
An acid yellow triumph was parked in front of Bella Sienna. People were dressed to the nines for an early dinner. I loved to go out to eat when I was a kid. The Chicken House and the Steak House at Knotts Berry Farm were good but the “Indian Room” was fun for a kid. You sat on big leather drums and there were arrows stuck in the walls, supposedly from an ambush. Definitely not PC.
On Thursday, decided to include the Farmer’s Market in my Thursday walk and wasn’t sorry. Scored big on white nectarines which were sweet and juicy. Asked the organic strawberry man to fill a basket for me. He said, “if you don’t mind my picking only the best ones.” He did. Noticed bicyclist Al Limone waiting in a long, slow line to get a wood-oven baked pizza. They looked to be good size and were only $12 apiece. Will try them next time. Ran into Dharma buddies Elisabeth Gulick and Amy Hames at the flower and organic tomato booth. The bouquets are gorgeous and wild looking, like something you’d picked yourself out of a country garden. I walked home laden with bags and grateful to live in a town with such bounty and goodwill.
Saturday July 3rd was festive on the Street even though there was no official fire works display or grand parade this year. Flags hanging from light posts and buildings waved in the brisk breeze. A small crowd gathered at West D to honor veterans. A little girl handed me a tiny flag. A cavalcade of antique Model T’s passed by bedecked in flags and honking at spectators. I waved my little flag at each one and got honks and waves back.
It’s Sunday, the fourth of July as I write this. Walked to First to get some lunch and saw another parade — this one with shiny red and green tractors sporting flags of three military branches— Marines, Navy, and Army. Driving one tractor was a grade school age driver handling the giant machine just fine and avoiding a Model T which was trying to pass it. Fireworks or not, Benicians knows how to celebrate.
Sarah Beserra is an artist writer, collector, Dharma practitioner and retired lobbyist.
Letters From Benicia 