The 40 Year Old Hoya

For My Sister

Outside my window here at the Pelton House B&B in Ashburn, prepping for dinner, I spotted the long seed pods hanging from the boughs, the elephant ear leaves and white flowers, and thought to myself “catalpa”. This will only make sense to my sister Michelle, but I haven’t thought of the tree in the corner of my grandmother’s yard in years and years - and I spelled it right, even. :)