Smugglers Cove Whidbey Island

This Clash song has always been one of my favorites from an earlier age (turn it up as they say):

It seems to be applicable to life changing events in general, but particularly so to abandoning ones comfortable “life position” in general and leaping into the void hoping for a soft spot somewhere at the bottom of the chasm. Yes, people do it all the time, but when it’s your turn at the leap, it’s a bit intimidating. I always played this song a lot whenever I went from one software job to another, will there be another?

It is time to stop candy coating this shit.  Today was tough.  Things…such a deceiving word…things I once held sacred are out the door.  This bed, once in my grandmother’s basement and my first apartment bed, is out the door in the morning.  I have a list of people who want it.  I am giving it away…no charge…Grandma would have wanted that.  She had several beds in the basement and at many times they were all full.  Grandkids, friends, anyone who needed a place to rest their head.  I hope it goes to someone with the same spirit.  Damn.

Every deck needs a beer frig.  It’s a mandatory summer item here in the forest.  Yesterday, we sold ours.  Craigslist was rockin’.  Chimenea, storage bin, planter pots, white plastic chairs, old door, wheelbarrow, potting soil, and more.  Off to a new life….all of us!

This is the new back door.  Long hours manipulating it into place and hoping all goes well.  Oh, not so much.  Cheap locks turned into a frustrating afternoon.  New locks needed to be had.  However, other suggestions came to mind.  Sell the house to a proctologist…perfect doorway.  A gynecologist?  Why not? Stuff an old rag in those holes.

At some point, we need to walk away from this house.

Look at that tender green new growth.  Throughout the years, we have planted trees, lilacs, honeysuckle, cherry trees, irises, a fabulous vegetable garden and much more.

It is always exciting to see the new growth of the trees.  It is soft and vibrant green.  It is also slow.  Here in the Pikes Peak region, plants need to be coddled and protected; nurtured and closely watched.  It may takes years for the roots to take hold.  We have trees that have grown and then just given it up.  That is always heartbreaking.  If we haven’t put a drip-line in, the growth rate is torturous; which in turn makes the successes treasured sights.

We are off to the land of plenty when it comes to gardening.  We will be doing a complete re-evaluation of what grows.  Our growing season will be longer.  The rains will provide moisture we now covet.  The sea will raise the humidity and create a friendly environment for growth.  Root rot will take on a whole new meaning.  Yellow banana slugs will be amongst the daily visitors to the garden.

In front of us, we face new challenges and opportunities.  There will be lots to learn and mistakes will be made.  Our gardening mindset will be challenged, readjusted and hopefully splendorous!  Trowels, shovels, and cuttings in hand; bring on the adventure!

…and there we are.  The trailer, the family and a toasty fire.

Now…we are at the headwind of loading and sorting and moving on.

I think about stuff and walk upstairs and downstairs and outside.  The iris flowers are luminescent and I am trying to decide which ones will come to Whidbey.  I have cactus…everyone thinks they are very phallic…they are cacti.

…and there is Pop’s Christmas Cactus.  That baby has bounced in a trailer, been dried out in Littleton and weathered it all. ..as are we…as we are…we are too, and there you have it.

Oak on the upstairs floors and damaged areas and not much concern…and now, they are ground down and the wood is magnificent…

We made a vow tonight to never again put off things that bug us in our home…

The upstairs is totally empty and ready for the wood floor renewal.  That begins tomorrow.  Echoes reverberate throughout the house.  It is eerie and wrong and right.

In front of me is a drawing done many years ago.  We will take it into town and have it scanned.  It is a drawing showing a curly-haired dad, a smiling mom holding hands with a young girl; a joyous trailer, a green truck with lights shining; and best of all, a cheery fire.  This treasure was unearthed this past weekend, amidst tears, laughter, parties and numerous memories.

There is a new/old trailer in our future.  We ordered cat carriers for the trip to Washington.  We are looking at routes and wondering how many stops the pets will need.  How many will we need.  What tapes or CD’s will amuse us?  I am thinking a quietly read novel will be good for the critters and me.  Any suggestions?

We are closing in…really, really closing in.

..and so it is done.  I walked out, alone.  On to the next chapter.  I came to the realization that the job changes I have made over the years have been to my advantage.  Time here and time there and then I moved along.

Yesterday was perfect.  Territory Days, Jake Loggins Band, good beverages, good food, sunshine…just good.

Today…back at packing and sorting and trashing and selling and donating and I am about done.  Mark is rewiring, adjusting doors, and he is done  We are snipping.  Ugh.

Look at that trailer and truck.  That is serious; serious mud/dust.  We would climb into the bed and feel the grit of the day.

Our next step will be…

We’re in the market for a travel trailer..is that a hoot or what??