Monday

Monday.

6:45 p.m.

I feel the same way.

The house is officially listed for sale.

I’m between: “What did I do??” and excited for possibilities.

Draining.

Monday.

June 1

The first of June.

I have a few things I’m starting – things I set as a June 1 start date. So, June 1 is seeming like a kind of clean slate date to me.

And just like September 1 feels like Fall … although official Fall usually starts September 21…. June 1 seems like Summer even if it is not official until June 21.

So.

When I bought my current house…on the road home…I had the thought that when I was 62-65ish, the property would be worth enough to either do a reverse mortgage or sell and move somewhere less “found”.

And then I did some things: Florida, return, married, divorced.

And Karl was ill and died.

Bear.

Bob.

Auggie.

And here we are.

Along the way, I’ve been collecting “small/tiny” house plans.

My house is certainly not large at 1200 square feet but the fact is, when I measure what I really use, I come in about 750 square feet and much of that is middle space air.

I’ve often said, as I left on a motorhome trip, I would be obliged to the Universe if trees fell on the house and then I would take the insurance money and build a little cabin near where the motorhome now sits and use the house foundation slab for a motorhome garage.

It would be my little dream home. Little. I had visions of a square house with a wrap around porch.

Meanwhile, I’m still collecting small house plans and looking at small spaces. And since I’ve lived in the motorhome (330 square feet when parked with slides out) for 7 months and 3 months and been happy in that space, I had some knowledge that I do not NEED a lot of space. And I do not NEED a lot of stuff. In fact, I am most happy with not very much stuff.

Off and on, I’d run numbers and think about selling. I had the house listed for a year from April 2011 until 2012…not a great time for real estate.

Then the construction next to me.

Not the whole reason at all, but it was a bit of a nudge to REALLY think.

And I did.

And last Friday, I had a bit of an epiphany. As a 1 human household, albeit a human used to making all kinds of solo decisions…sometimes things roll around and become convoluted and hard to sort out. For whatever reason, it occurred to me to ask myself: “If I won the lottery and could do all I wanted on this property…would I do it and stay ??? ” And the answer was “No”.

It is not that this is a bad place by any means…not at all – it is a beautiful place! But it is not my current “dream” and life is short.

As I watched the potential neighbors drilling their well and thought about this family building what I assume is THEIR dream house…it made me think about my dream house. And what am I waiting for.

So.

I’ve slept on the decision and told a few and am feeling good and excited. I am aware that just like in 2011, it might not happen. I will not give this place away, so all depends on if there is a person(s) who wants this spot for what I’m willing to give it up.

We’ll see what the Universe has in mind.

Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy my little house in the woods on the road home…even with the yellow jackets and the construction. Life is too very short not to enjoy all of the good things that are right now even in the midst of pursuing dreams.

*** Here are a few of my favorite small places:

392 foot Escape Cabin The photos are high end materials which might not be in my future, but the floor plan with moderation in material – beautiful.

L shaped Cabin Now…not these materials either, but the floor plan and elevations…on the right property – PERFECT!

By a Summers, for a Summers and near my folks??? …Oh Boy.

Week wrap up

The yellow jackets…

I keep emptying…

And refreshing the traps.

Although, today, Friday…a warm (72F) and sunny day…the activity seemed not quite as hectic around the house. Good news ??? I don’t know. It may mean that remaining queens are nesting.

A worry for another day.

Tuesday morning, it looked like the above.

Bear, Auggie and I have been enjoying quiet mornings as I had info that this was to come to an end.

Someone(s) purchased one of the lots on the loop. The build area was surveyed and marked last Fall. I hoped against hope that I was wrong.

But not.

Water well drilling equipment moved onto the property mid-morning Tuesday.

RATS!

We will focus on this and think on what we shall do.

Lily of the Valley: Continuity

Happy Happy Birthday to my Mama this day!

And it is a bit fitting that this day, there is a strong breeze from the southwest.

A breeze that is bringing the scent of Lily of the Valley into the house.

Fitting because my Mama’s Mama had a Lily of the Valley patch on the path to her back door – the door we used. The scent of Lily of the Valley takes me back to that house, to that path and to my Grandma Ruthie…my Mama’s Mama.

Grandma Ruthie’s birthday is also in May: May 5. I thought of her that day when the Lily of the Valley were just sticking up their heads.

But, today…on my Mama’s birthday, they are in full bloom and full scent.

Continuity.

Lily of the Valley.

The little green mowing machine

The mower arrived Friday.

Saturday…grumbling a little, I opened the box.

Might as well charge the batteries.

And roll the thing out of the box.

I took the manual in the house.

It looks like a toy.

Much of it is plastic.

It reminds me of those kid toys with the “popcorn” top.

BUT…this lever…ONE lever that moves the mowing deck from low to high. I messed with that. SO much fun and so easy compared to my gas mower with spring loaded thingies on EACH wheel. They were difficult to adjust. They made me say bad words. Not this lever – EASY! Partly because of all of that plastic toy-like structure. The mower is very light.

And it has a push button start. No full arm pull.

So, maybe I will never LOVE mowing but I might dislike it a bit less.

I went out late morning today. Both batteries were fully charged. I thought I’d test the starting.

It started.

With a push of the button. (***there are safety features which include a key and a sequence with a bailer bar)

So.

I had my mowing boots on.

For safety.

I decided to at least take a pass at the high grass and see how she did.

Yes, I’m sure it is a she.

And then I decided to just mow the section where the garden used to be. It is the only part of the yard where the grass grows fairly well as it gets sun and is a bit removed from so many trees.

She mows well and quietly and no vibration. My hands did not fall “asleep” and my elbow was not irritated.

I think the little green mowing machine and I might get along.