Springing Forward with the Unwilling

Last week she put finger tips to keyboard to write a note to the land lord...had he considered renewing the lease. A week ticked by and finally the response appeared. They have decided to put the house on the market to sell it. Two homes have proved to much to carry right now.

She sat in the living room and stared at the book cases filled with books and wondered how many should be given away with this move: some, none, all? Packing up closets and dishes to difficult to even consider for the time being. For now the answer is not known. There are worse things than packing and unpacking. Even finding a rental that will take two dogs and has a fenced yard, while daunting, is not impossible.

Still, she would rather not move. This space felt like home. She had not even fully unpacked for fear of finally feeling settled and trusting that feeling again. Settled ~ hmmm, when did that last happen. 2001. Exhaling. Note to self: 1) be careful with trust, 2) avoid bookstores.

Almost done - again

I know this looks bad but that's all that's left to organize and pack! Just a few tasks left to do and by Wednesday I will be headed north on a coastal route once past Sacramento. About 1000 miles to Puget Sound. Bliss!

Almost done

You can see by the small outdated TV that I don't spend a lot of time sitting in front the tube. However as this move is in the final phase I have been happy to have the electronic company in the nearly empty house...and the lawn chair for a perch! I have a few more boxes to throw in the POD - then most of the move (packing wise) will be complete. Left on the "To Do List" the car tune-up, the hound off to the vet to get sutures removed (that is it's own story for another day), wait for repaired specs, mail a few things and by Wednesday I'll be headed north. My friends up North complain that they are having a heat wave. The valley has at least temporarily cured me of complaining about temps in the 90's. Right now 90's feels good! Over a 100, I'm not so happy!

The good thing about a move is that it forced me to reduce and recycle. It is a smaller house hold I'm sending North than any I've had since I was in my late 20s...40 years of collecting stuff. It was pretty silly when I sorted it all out. Paper shredded as well. Time for one more cup of coffee and then it is off to finish the business of the day!

July in the Valley

It is simply H.O.T. At 1 P.M. the temp hit a toasty 103F. Night brings a cool down to about 76F. I'm am preparing to leave. It is difficult because I have the pleasure of working with wonderful, caring professionals. They are youthful and enthusiastic about elder care. Saying good bye, cleaning up projects and then going home to pack seem out of sync somehow. Farewell is never easy. There is a tension that sits there in the back ground wondering - will the new place be okay? Will any of these folks and I stay in touch? Even, will my old cat make this journey? Some answers are yes and some are no. To be continued....

The Journey continues

"Does the road wind-up hill all the way?"

"Yes, to the very end."

"Will the day's journey take the whole long day?"

"From morn to night, my friend."

~Christina Rossetti

Up Hill 1861

The decision has been made. The letter written and agreement signed. Time to move again. In one month I will be near the Pugent Sound ~ the NorthWest.

The Central Valley has been an interesting journey. The dry landscape has made it feel like a long trip. Are we there yet? Almost. Almost. A long one and up hill for the lack of cool green places and familiar seasons. This blog will continue. Am not so sure what to do about Nomad. Perhaps I will just wait until the answer presents itself and demand that I recognize it - like the bastard child that claims to be an heir to the throne. It is enough for the time being to think about finding enough boxes, to figure out the expenses, to arrange for a place to live...a name change for the Nomad blog may just knock on the door ...or not.

One more month.