Homesickness is new for me. The South Bay is beautiful. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, fresh produce and delicious food abound, and many people wave back at me. But I miss Colorado.

Some wistfulness is normal: Friends, places, the comfort that comes from being in an area for so long. Not getting to watch Louisville rebuild from the fire. Other small things took me by surprise, like discovering that a super-effective generic laundry stain remover doesn’t exist here — and can’t be shipped.

Local eateries have produced more delights than duds. But the fresh ravioli we picked up at an upscale grocery couldn’t hold a candle to the ones from our favorite Denver-based pasta company. That’s it. Time to stop moping and start making.