We're Going to Be Townies

A friend wrote about aging and asked how I felt. This is my answer. Almost 75, give or take a few days, I am now, the person I always wanted to be. Yes, I am old, old, very old (thank you Kevin – for the definition and Ben – who needs frequent clarity.) My age has set me free. I like who I am. I’m not referring to my body! It would be nice to look 30/40; maybe 50? Instead I have wrinkles. I’m squishy in the wrong places and no butt.   Some mornings I look in the mirror and see my mother or grandmother’s body or someone who seems to resemble them. Then I get on with my day. I would not trade my happy life, my wonderful family, my fabulous friends for less grey hair or a taunt body. I’ve become my own best friend. I treat myself kindly and am far less judgmental of my perceived shortfalls. So, I cannot stick to a diet and maybe I only got around to making my bed just before nightfall. Yes, I need to mop the floor, after all I’m sticking to it as I walk across. It’s perfectly Ok to

My Grateful List, in no particular order, as of this moment: I have no appointments or errands requiring my time and/or commitment. Our library has an extensive eBook library; I'm indulging; having time to read and ponder what I read. I can read all day if I want A partner with a sense of humor and a certain amount of outrageousness concerning our current state of affairs. I look forward to our 6 o'clock cocktail hour; anticipating who and what has set him off. Its still a little weird to me, I'm the one usually saying "you need to dial it back - ALOT!"   We could live in Portugal; that's the threat I heard if Bumble buss gets re-elected. I like Portugal. We moved last fall and The Hill sold quickly, with minimum hassle. Imagine if we moved and hadn't sold. I'm making myself a necklace; I never take the time to make myself anything. We have many family and friends che

I hit an emotional wall last week ... too much coming at me; friends and family ill, more restrictions going into place, a family member who seems clueless as to the Cova danger and their culpability, a dear friend moving to Cleveland under very trying circumstances. I'm usually a positive person ... who else would bury a seed several inches into the ground and expect a beautiful plant to grow. I'm impacted by sun and lack of sun. After a week of delightful weather, we plunged into a Kentucky Spring Winter. From sunny and 70's to overcast and 40's. My disposition plunged with it - what's going to happen to nephews, who's jobs depend on disposable income from corporations and individuals or our grandsons; soon graduating from high school and college? A niece who graduates and wants to work with exotic animals? The few people I feel confident about are the daughters/niece who are teachers. Teachers will not only have a job - I'm thinking lots of p

I spent a couple of hours at The Hill this afternoon. The new owners are making it a happy place again. We spent about an hour walking the grounds, showing them the property lines and helping identify trees, shrubs, and garden plants. Coming from a gardening Zone 8 to 6b is a big adjustment. I enjoyed their energy and enthusiasm. Neither know anything about vegetable gardens and were plunging in with fervor. I had to caution them … little early for tomatoes … we still have Redbud, Dogwood and Blackberry winters to get thru. They're amused (more like agog) to learn my weed control - burn, baby, burn. J told me my nickname around the place is Blowtorch Becky. They added wonderful yard art to the pieces I left behind. I encouraged them to make the gardens their own; don't worry about what I planted and did. Certainly, I'm doing the same in my new home; Nadina immediately was yanked out. I'm eyeing several other plants which may not see spring in my gardens. J ask if

As I write this update; the new owners are unpacking their Uhaul. The Hill no longer belongs to us. The past 24 hrs were bittersweet. We arrived home, 3 weeks in Portugal and Spain, knowing the closing was today.  The new owners are moving from Mississippi; completely different growing zone. I made dozens of name tags and prepared a binder with as much information as I could remember. Probably more than anyone wanted to know.  Before we left for Portugal there was a mild balmy day and i was out on The Hill tending gardens. There's a spot where i have an adriondack chair. It's down the slope from the house; where I rest under a Linden tree and listen to the wind coming up from the river canyon. Listening, I could usually hear a change in the weather about 15 mins before it arrived on the hill. I often listened to what i thought were old voices. Sounds a little nutty I know, I thought if i could just concentrate, I know what they told me. It was there in August 2003 when I rem

We spent our 1st night in town 10 days ago. The floors had some wear and tear; we decided to have them sanded and refinished before moving. Internet surfing; I found some pics of the original build; quite different. These pics are circa 2013. cabinets are now painted off white; I'd like them gone. eat-in kitchen replaced with bright white cabinets and a kitchen desk Floor is now white/grey tile there is a tub where the shower was huge walk in shower replaced the tub. granite counter top with individual mirrors and fantastic lighting; all new tile; floor and wall. mantle and surround replaced; floors were stained "gunstock"; I took them back to this natural color. Cupboards replaced the wet bar. Shelfing and cupboards along the wall between the dining and kitchen  NOW: different surround and mantle; chair rail added; back wall changed looking down from loft