House Sitting

This week, thinks settled down to a dull roar.  Which is to say that not much changed, I just got a little calmer about the whole thing.  My calmer mental state could be ascribed to two separate realizations: 1) I don't have to replace everything that I lost. and 2) I am now unencumbered by former enterprises.  It may be true that I decide to recreate what I had, but it is more likely that I will do it smarter and simpler.  One thing is for sure, I will not be doing anything any time soon, so I might as well just relax about the whole thing.  Did you buy that?  I think I did...

Jack and Sue have departed for their vacation and I am watching the house and their dog.  It is a pleasant way to pass some time and gives me a chance to muddle through the quagmire of my thoughts and plans.  I expect to be here until the middle of June, and what I'll do after that remains to be seen.

If you have no idea what has been going on with me, than that means a couple of things: 1) we haven't spoken in the last two weeks 2) you are not friends with me on Facebook, and 3) you need to call me so we can catch up :D

I hope all who serve and protect us felt the love this Memorial Day, because I for one, certainly enjoyed being an American <3

Oh, What A Week

This week was a true test of my stamina and fortitude.  In the end, I am where I was intending to be, but the chain of events took on a life of their own.  I could tell you about it, but then I'd have to kill you and you know my position on violence so let's just save it for another day.

Tuscon was wonderful, and my friends there are tried and true.  It was a real pleasure to spend some time with them and not be in such a hurry.  Now that I am in Santa Fe, with my good friends there, I am touched by their kindness, generosity, and patience with me.

Sue has gifted me with a complete set of oil paints, as well as an easel and I expect to try my hand with it while I house sit in this lovely locale.  Frankly, I could use the rest and the weather is wonderful so I expect to produce at least one picture while I learn how to clean my paintbrushes properly :D

Happy Anniversary?

A year ago today, I (the collective I, that is) finished putting my house in storage and commenced traveling in search of affordable housing, preferably with a lot more going for it than that.  On the first anniversary of this noble quest, quite a lot has changed.

Carin really started the whole thing.  You may not know that Carin came down and cranked out the garage in preparation for the yard sale and move.  She spent a weekend sorting, packing, labeling and taping.  She was truly impressive.  When I attempted to pay her, she refused and secured a commitment to be my first stop on detailed and researched quest. 

After a wonderful visit, she sat me down and told me that she thought I was making a big mistake by going from one place right into another and that I should, instead, visit each of my brothers and sisters as well as my nieces and nephews.  She convincingly described it as a chance of a lifetime.  I listened, but inside my head I thought, sure...yeah right.  In the morning, I admitted that she had a point and so began this year of visiting, traveling and exploring.  I actually did get to see all of my siblings, and nieces and nephews, and I explored living in the areas where they reside among other destinations previously selected.

I was more often surprised than pleased with the realities of living in a particular place, but finally determined that Colorado Springs is the destination for me.  This decision did not make the transition any easier and over the last couple of months, I have transferred a goodly amount of my possessions from storage in Los Angeles to storage in the Springs.  Along the way I have gotten to spend quite a bit of time with Aunt Joan Helm, aka Aunt Jean.

Understandably, I was deeply saddened at her passing and still hope to make it back for her burial on Thursday.  This does push my schedule up a bit, but if I can pull it off, I will.  Afterwards, I will be returning to Santa Fe to house sit for the Warford's, and of course, visiting a bit on either end.

Slow As Molasses

I tried to title this post as Inch By Inch only to discover that I had used it before, which leads me to believe that I have been this slow before, which leads me to believe that I am slow as molasses.  That may not be interesting to you, but since I have spent this entire day trying to get anything done, it's nice to know that I have overcome this type of inertia before...

I am supposedly loading Brian's van for its return to him in Santa Fe but I have only succeeded in halfway doing half the things I need to.  At some point, the halves should line up into wholes and I will actually have accomplished something.  Time will tell.

I intent to leave Monday night, and arrive in Tuscon sometime Tuesday.  I read that six planets are visible along the horizon looking south east at about daylight using binoculars, which I have.   I'm kind of excited to park south east at some rest stop in the middle of nowhere and see what I can see.

In December, I saw the eclipse of the full moon, that was very cool (didn't I post something about that, I wonder, if I didn't, I'll add it today) anyway, I'll take some pictures if I see anything wonderful and share with you later.

This was my first Mother's Day without Mom.  It felt kind of like my first California Christmas, I knew it was a special day, it just didn't feel right.  I ate a corned beef sandwich in her honor, she would have loved it.

To all my friends and family who are mothers, Happy Mother's Day to you!  To all my friends and family who are not mothers, do the dishes and some laundry - it's probably your turn anyway...

Closing the Chapter

As I''m sure you know, Osama bin Laden was killed today.  It is troubling to me to feel such relief at the death of another human, but I am relieved and perhaps even a little hopeful that this chapter will close without a last ditch effort by remaining zelots.

Anyway, yesterday I got a free massage and boy did I need it.  Some people commented that I seemed more like myself than I have in a very long time. I just know that it knocked me out and I slept well for a change.

This week I will be leaving Los Angeles for Santa Fe where I will visit first and house sit second, until the middle of June.  I am not exactly looking forward to the transition, but I will enjoy the change of scenery and of course seeing other friends.

Kath and Fleming have settled into Sisters, Oregon and they would love for me to come for a visit, but that's for another place in time.  In the meantime, I get to figure out how to get all of my stuff into Brian's van and how to thank the Stewarts for all of their loving kindness this past month in particular.