Travels with Heart: There’s No Place Like Home

By Annie Bowler, June 1, 2026: Volume 35

Hello friends,

Sad to say but the Flower Farm’s citrus spring blossoms are a thing of the past, but the best is yet to come. Our fruit has set, and it looks like we’re in for a fine citrus crop next winter which makes all of us quite happy! I love to watch the progression, from blossoms to tiny fruit which grow larger and larger, with plenty of water through the summer heat. Then, with the first cold snaps of late fall, the mandarins turn orange and sweet; they are ready to be enjoyed by all.The next time you visit the Flower Farm, be sure to check on our citrus crop's progress. Take a picture and share it on our Facebook page, if you'd like. As you look, please be gentle with our trees and make sure your little ones are too.

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In May, the Flower Farm was happy to host the “2026 Visit Placer Tourism & Quality of Life Summit”.  Many incredible people who care deeply about Placer County attended; it was one of those days that reminded us just how special our community is.

From conversations about agriculture, tourism, local business, and quality of life… to sharing locally made food and drinks around the table, the entire day reflected what makes the Placer lifestyle so meaningful: connection, collaboration, and people who genuinely want to see our region thrive.

This year’s theme, “The Placer Lifestyle — Leaning into Local,” couldn’t have felt more fitting. The many speakers and panelists  shared their perspective, passion, and vision for the future of Placer County. We’re proud to be part of a community that continues to show up for one another and for the future of Placer County! 

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Auburn is one of my favorite towns, especially its midtown and old town areas which are walkable  and offer many interesting shops and food options. As a former member of the Auburn Sustainability Committee, I was delighted to see that the area in front of Auburn City Hall and Police Department is finally undergoing a delightful transformation. This project has been in the works for three years! 

Very soon, in front of Auburn City Hall and Plaice station will be a beautiful demonstration garden filled with drought resistant, bird, bee, and butterfly friendly native plants. The garden will include an area that’s perfect for small gatherings.  Along with the Auburn Sustainability Committee, this project is being supported the hardworking members of Rotary Club of Auburn. 

Good things happen when communities work together! 

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I’ve been contemplating Pope Leo’s statement in his first Encyclic which expressed grave concern for using artificial intelligence, saying it "threatens to normalize an anti-human vision" and that the concentration of immense digital power in the hands of a few private actors must be countered. The pope urged moving slowly to be sure that AI affects people in a positive way, especially the middle class and the poor, who are at great risk of losing their livelihoods. 

In the same letter, the Pope made a long awaited, sweeping apology for the Church's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, calling it "a painful and shameful chapter in church history," that helped create the exploitation of millions of Black men, women, and children from across Africa to the Americas. He encouraged Catholics to confront the past with honesty rather than defensiveness.

As someone who was born and raised a Catholic, I was deeply moved the Pope's words on both topics. I was raised in a family that went to Mass every Sunday; my siblings and I all attended Catholic schools for 12 years, thus Catholicism is in my bones. I had many wonderful experiences at Catholic schools, especially at Villanova Prep and continue to have a deep appreciation for the basic teaching of the church, which frame my actions every day. 

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This is me as first grader in my Catholic school uniform. Me and my sister, Mary, ready for church. Me with with her siblings celebrating my first communion.

I moved away from the church as a young adult because the church often seemed caught up in its traditions; its male dominated leadership annoyed me. But the last straw was when I learned how often the church had covered for priests who had sexually abused young people. Nonetheless, leaving the Church made me lonely and sad. 

Pope Leo’s wisdom and bravery is a shining example for all of us and my heart is warm hearing his thoughtful words. Hopefully, America and the world will soon listen to and follow in his footsteps. 

Fun facts... Pope Leo and I have a good bit in common. We were both born on Sept 14, 1955. We were both educated at Augustian run schools named Villanova: I attened high school at Villanova Prep in Ojai, CA and Pope Leo graduated from college at its sister school, Villanova University located in Philadelphia, PA.

Pope Leo and his family on their way to Sunday Mass.