forgot the Loon

Merry Christmas from Four Rivers

Our marsh is icy this morning for Christmas. Snow has just started. We've had our pancakes with hot dog (Tofu Pups) pieces (Annelle's favorite and pretty good, actually) and Jittery Joe's coffee so we're set for the day. The pencil sketch is to make a trip to LL (open 365 days a year. Why not?) then have coffee with the McNeely/Wise kids. Fish chowder is in the crock pot. Our hopes to have Matt here for Christmas didn't work out, but we will enjoy our first Christmas at Four Rivers hoping he will be here before long.
We're getting pretty bruised up from pinching ourselves so often.

Merry Christmas Eve

A beautiful, sunny, 21 degree day. We took a little walk on the ET at Pine Point Rd and saw 2 loons in the marsh!! One was very close, so we got a nice look at her. Think we will repeat tomorrow. it's another High Astronomical Tide time so the marsh is frozen up to the back yard. I threw a couple of rotten apples out earlier today and a squirrel is way up a tree enjoying one of them. Pretty cute. A crow picked one up and flew a short distance with it before deciding to drop it and munch on it where it fell!
Things we've learned about driving in Maine:
1. Do not speed. If you do, a Camaro, Charger, Mustang or other unmarked muscle-car will pull you over. I have heard about and have seen this. Hopefully that's all I'll experience.
2. Carry an extra coat and gloves in your car. And a flashlight. And a blanket.
3. And a shovel (to dig your wheels out), ice scraper w/brush, and a bottle of windshield-wiper fluid. This last item flummoxed me until I drove the other day on icky, wet roads. I see filling up in the very near future. Luckily, every store you enter has stacks and stacks of gallon jugs of this available.
I'm starting to realize this may be a bigger change than my head has actually understood yet. So many everyday things are similar: the routines of work and housekeeping. And most all the things in between are so different: living near a big city, living with water everywhere, the climate. Things people value are mostly similar, though there is intensity in different areas. Individuality is valued more than doing/being like everyone else. People seem to be more accepting of each others differences, not just "tolerant."
We miss you and hope for a happy holiday season for all.

24 degrees

OK, y'all, it's officially COLD. No whimpy Georgia winter weather here. I thought my legs were going to get frostbite while I was putting gas in the car! Now we know why there are so many full-service stations up here. I think I need a different winter coat from the one I brought with me from GA ( though it's from Bean and I thought it would be fine.) The rivulets in the marsh have frozen edges. Yep, winter.
Went to a cookie exchange party today and came home with a tray of wonderful treats. Met some new people and had a nice afternoon, thanks to Elizabeth. Getting the holiday spirit, one day at a time.

The "living"room

The top photo is where we spend lots of our time at home. We can look out the windows, read, watch TV. As you can see, Jack also enjoys relaxing there. The living area is oddly shaped, so (bottom photo), we have another area behind the loveseat that's the actual living room. The dining room and the stairs to the bedrooms are to the left of Jack's perch. I'll post other photos of the house so you can picture our place.
We are enjoying living in Maine every day, enjoying coming home to our marsh retreat.

Snowshoes

This weekend is LL Bean's annual Winter Sports Weekend and we're in! They produce some snow and let people try out various winter fun things: skis, skates, sleds and snowshoes. We have been looking forward to snowshoeing as a way to get out of the house in winter, have some fun, and get exercise. And since we know nothing, this is a perfect opportunity to get tips and try different models to see what will work best for us. Who knew there were so many parameters? As soon as Annelle comes home from work (yes, it's Saturday) we're headed north (Bean is about 20 miles).
Started the weekend yesterday with a lovely day off. After spending a lazy morning drinking coffee while looking out the window, then doing a little cleaning, I spent an even lazier day in the rocker reading. No errands or projects. No "I should" feelings. A really free day that I much appreciated.
Do any of you readers have a favorite soup recipe (no meat) to share? I'm gearing up. Barbara sent a fabulous homemade tomato that I plan to make this weekend. Soup and cornbread- yum.

Holiday fun

Great time in the northland for Thanksgiving. Of course we had fabulous food (thank you, Anne and the cook team) and fabulous people to enjoy it. The weather has been all over the place! Today was in the high 50s! Doesn't feel too different from what we're used to.
Put up some outdoor lights this weekend, did a little more organizing. Lots of water in the marsh too, maybe the most we've seen yet.
It's 4:15 and getting dark out there, but coming home to the view for even a little while is most relaxing. It's a "time out" to reset the brain. The marsh is looking raggedy from all the water recently, and the leaves are off the trees. The start of our winter marsh.
LeeAnne got us thinking about naming our house, so we've been playing around with that. Will see where it goes.

And a good week it was

Drinking coffee and watching the outdoors: Canada geese and some kind of unidentified raptor. Annelle thinks Gyrfalcon.
Homemade cinnamon rolls from the local GF bakery were perfect. Sun is out and the day looks good.
This week at work was so much fun! I'm at the OR that's down the hall from Annelle in the old building. The cases are more familiar to me (general, spine) and I've felt like my rhythm is better. Unlike the new Fore River building there are no windows, so it's back to no contact with what's going on outside, but I really do like it there. A few more weeks there then I'll be floating back and forth between the two.
Today we're having a small housewarming party, then dinner with the delightful Brightwell/McNeely/Hutchison clan.
XOXOXO

New week

New things ahead this week. Tomorrow I move up to the State Street campus for the final part of orientation. New geography, new people. Also, different services: general surgery, spine, ENT, some ortho. Looking forward to it.
This morning the carpenter comes to replace the rotten door! This should mean we won't have cold air on our feet while eating. Might be a little chilly during the install as it's the entire dining room wall!

Above is one of our projects from the weekend. We have 2 of the most not-DL-AB styled light fixtures in the house, and the one in the dining room was the eyesore we kept having to look at. So we scoured the stores and the internet and found this one. Vastly improved sightlines.
Canada geese just now commuting to their feeding grounds. All is right with the world.

Election Day

Now that was a different experience. First off, it's a local election and the parking lot was full at 3:30. The ballots are all fill-in-the-circle on the paper ones. And the gym had at least 100 booths where a voter could go to fill in their ballot. There were raffles and fruit sales tables outside the gym. Oh, and you don't have to show your ID.

Thought I'd send a photo so you could see Simone and Jack in their favorite activity. They do go out, but not for long.

Bittersweet

We're Mainers now. Our house in Georgia sold yesterday. Yes, we are relieved to sell after only 2 months on the market. And we both felt the same sadness at the closing of that chapter. Now we can concentrate on making this house as loved as Pointer's Ridge.
The lumber company just delivered our new French doors to replace the ones we don't think will make it through the winter (rotten. We knew that would be the first big project.) The doors and casement windows that look out onto the marsh are original to the 1971 house, so the new ones will be much more energy efficient.
The early nor'easter has tamped down the reeds that separate the marsh from the yard and it really does look like we're a part of it! Very cool.

Early snow

It's a mix at the moment: snow, rain and wind blowing all over the place. Our street has been plowed so we'll get to shovel out the end of the driveway where the banks have been deposited. Our shovel has this cool foot-pedal thingy that lets the lower body get involved in the job. Luckily, we aren't in the belt that has lost power all over New England. That's something we are going to have to plan for.
So today will include some cooking, some football, some knitting (I do need a new hat) and some looking out the windows at Mother Nature.
Happy Sunday to all y'all.

Gearing up

25 degrees this morning. Snow predicted tonight and Sunday. Today those shovels and rakes are getting purchased, as well as a coat for Annelle, who still has only Georgia cold weather clothes. Everyone here is distressed that there will be a measurable snow before Halloween (apparently that's too early.)
Interesting observation: leaves in our yard fall in a way that looks like birds flying. Not every-which-way, but in a more horizontal line to the ground. I've been fooled often, though now I'm onto the ruse.

Friday off

Drinking coffee, looking out over the frosty marsh. It's sunny and clear- no snow as predicted. Gives me a little more time to get shovels and roof rakes.
We bought snow boots this week! And, at the neighborhood association meeting, found out there are snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in our neighborhood!! The association is quite a body. I think around 10 people on the board, lots of committees, lots of activities. I may get involved with the trails group. The meeting was in the First Congregationalist Church- it reminded my of my childhood, going to meetings with my father when he was active in small town New England politics. There is a woman on the board from Mississippi! Her accent was music.
I am getting used to the Maine accent, but it still takes some attention to get all the nuances. And I've found myself drifting with a few words and wondering how long until you tell me I sound different. Some of the people here think I have a southern accent and some don't. Funny, people's perceptions.

A very productive day

This morning had an impromptu brunch then got to rearranging furniture (thanks Jane and Drew)and hanging art. It looks like we live here!! It was fun exploring all the places to see which pieces felt better in which spots. Some pieces made several stops before they found homes. All the carpet bunnies were vacuumed. The house is feeling like home!

Glorious Friday

It's a beautiful day in Southern Maine. Lots of sun and white, fluffy clouds. I walked out of the hospital this afternoon to see a gleaming Fore River on my left and a low-flying-just-taking-off plane in front of me. 60 degrees. Perfect.
Finished the dump deposits of removed carpet (hooray) and we now have matching floors upstairs. The weekend will allow us to get things a little more settled. The guest bedroom is all ready for company. Who's first?

A little whine

OK, this weekend I've started freaking out. About everything. The house, money, friends, health, etc, etc. Luckily I've had enough experience with this (unpleasant) side of myself that I know it will pass eventually. Flooring should be finished next weekend too, so we can actually put things in places upstairs where they can stay. I like order. I need a little more to stop my obsessing. Aaaaauuugh.

Delightful rainy day off

Got to sleep in this morning and am just puttering today. I did something I've never done before- I packed summer clothes in two boxes to put in the attic! Crazy. I also went to the library and got a library card (October is national get-a-library card month.) It's a one story building that's maybe the size of the first floor of the Athens library. Very cute. And, of course, linked with the system all over the state. They even have kindle books to check out!
The ground is covered with colorful, wet leaves. Lovely.

early am

Off to work in a few minutes. Good day yesterday in the OR- did some cases and got a tour of the building. Ate lunch overlooking the river. Came home and crashed. This morning have an inservice at the main building (shuttle up there and back) then a big case and a few small ones (urology today).  Computer training also today for the specific OR system.  Looks very similar to what I'm used to, so should be a breeze.

Orientation

I'm ready to go to the OR tomorrow! As many of you know, orientation is not usually much fun. Sitting, entering stuff in the computer, listening, reading insurance papers, etc. Tomorrow will be more specific to the OR (different computer system, as is common everywhere)and I'll be physically in the OR instead of an auditorium. Better.
This morning the sky was a riot of pinks and reds. The trees are well on their way. Cool fall day that couldn't be beat. Found a pizza dive near the house that's great: portabellos, , red onions and cheddar (!) all on a nice thin crust. And I have lunch for tomorrow to boot.

Beginning to turn

Uncertainty

Jack wants to go outside. Sort of. Both cats have been out a little, mostly with us on the deck. Today I have the door open so they can come and go as they please. If Jack does go out, he hides under the deck. Otherwise he's as above: uncertain.
My Honda is visiting the shop today as the check-engine light came on yesterday and it felt like I was driving a 20 year old Dodge. Luckily warranty applies. Master bedroom is getting flooring (bamboo) at the moment. And it's 70 degrees!

Sunday afternoon

It's a beautiful day here. In the 80s and not humid. This morning we got up early and took a walk on the ET, hoping to see a few birds (we saw a few) and hoping to see our house from the trail. We had looked at Google Earth to try to see just where we should look in relation to the golf course on the other side. Right on! When the leaves are gone it will be easily visible.
Speaking of leaves-I was wondering when they were really going to start changing. We had seen some color, but not much yet. Then in the past two days we've started to see an explosion. It's almost like we can actually see them changing from one hour to the next. Unbelievable. And the new-mown yard looks so nice in front of the changing trees. The Great Blues are making their last appearances, as are (we hope) the Mosquitos. One more day off for me before starting work. I'm ready.

Frost

It's cold and quiet on the marsh this morning. Canada geese have made their commute and everyone else must be sleeping in. 33 degrees. I did turn the heat on this morning for the first time, all the way up to 64. We decided we may need to buy a few sweaters (I own none)! Fleece is good, but nothing beats wool in real winter weather.

Lobstah lunch

My first lobster roll (1/2 lobster roll) as a resident of Maine! Took surprise lobstah lunch to Annelle at work today after recycling boxes.  Lobster rolls are hot dog buns (kinda) with hunks of lobster meat, lettuce, and whatever else the local place adds. Lots of pepper in this one, mayo base. Yum.  I think I'll need to have another soon, before the season ends. Lobster Shack, here we come.

Second room of carpet removed. License tags applied.  Deer out in the marsh. Life is good. 

Today's view

It's a beautiful, brisk, windy day here at the Scarborough Marsh. Changed the flat tire on my bike and took off to check out the Eastern Trail, which we can get to through the neighborhood without riding on any main streets. It's a hardpacked gravel road that goes on for several miles where people jog, ride, hike, etc on the other side of the marsh from us. Did a short out-and-back. Waiting for Annelle to do more exploring. This is a place I think we'll be spending lots of quality time. When the leaves have all fallen we're hoping we'll be able to see our house from the trail. There was a quick shower that started just as I started home, but I managed to out-ride it.
Unpacked a box of Pete's art today just to visit with some of the pieces. Having another mini-homesick moment. I love it here and I'm feeling a million miles away from friends.

After dinner fun

Yes, we tore carpet out of the master bedroom. Not too bad. The tack strips, however, were where the real fun was. OMG. And the staples for the padding! After 2 hours of that, we think we'll just pay to have the installer remove the rest. money well spent. Things are taking shape in the house and we're still pinching ourselves regularly.
Today the pair of greater yellowlegs, a huge great blue heron and a flock of egrets were out braving the rain. We also saw what we think must have been a juvenile little white heron! Don't think it was a white morph of a reddish egret (boo) as they are not usually found around here. Very exciting bird day. Our neighbor, Helen, says the red-eyed virio is a year-round resident. That will be a great one to spot. One planned, non-house related purchase: an adapter for the camera to take photos through the spotting scope.
Two tired and happy peas tonight.

Rainy Saturday

Beautiful rain. Good day for garage organization and errands. Then home to enjoy the water (still quite a lot at high tide). Saw a snowy egret and a greater yellowlegs. Set up the spotting scope! It is so unbelievable we have vacation views from our own deck. We heard the wild turkeys, which are all over the marsh. Will we ever get over the splendor? I can't see it happening, really. And there is still such an element of amazement that we have done this crazy thing.

Good morning

The morning starts with coffee in the box seats- i.e. the best viewing window. 58 degrees this morning with a 74 high predicted. I'm wrapped up in the softest Pendelton wool throw ( thank you Paul & Charles), Simone beside me. Sunny and clear.
Last night we actually went to the Christmas Tree Shop- a place kind of like the Pottery in Commerce that has seasonal things and other stuff. Did get a very inexpensive bench for the mud room (thanks Elizabeth) that will be a perfect fit, a perfect place to remove wet, snowy, muddy boots before entering the house.
There is a faint twinge of homesickness hovering. It's a good thing to embrace.

More birds and bees

Egrets and herons. And ground nesting yellow jackets. Lots of them. Excitment on their part and mine when the pest guy started smoking them out and attacking their hole. They're viscious. He had the proverbial ten foot pole with apparatus attached to do the job. Oh, and the lovely bee bonnet (mesh)- it was pretty cool.
So plumbing and pests fixed today. Tomorrow is my pre-employment physical and HR stuff. Planning to get, while in town, bike tubes so I can try the Eastern Trail. It's just up the road about 1/2 mile.
So far, I think people here are happy here. Everyone has been friendly. Lots of jokesters. There is a feeling of comfort/contentment surrounding people. They seem to like doing what they do. Of course I haven't started work yet, so more later.
Rain all day and much more water in the marsh today. Something about high astronomical tides. I got a tide app on my phone!

Big day

SOS

Basically, things have gone well with the move. Not all settled, but getting there. Then this morning I was looking for the heavy, metal, fireproof box that has our important papers, birth certificates,passports, etc. After some gnashing of teeth it was determined we left it in the Penske truck, behind the driver's seat (Annelle was driving so there was room!) uh, oh. Phone calls at 0700 when they opened. No reply. Drove over to the truck location in Scarborough. Truck not there. Jessica (a SAINT) made many phone calls, discovering 2 miracles: 1. The box was indeed found in the truck, as we predicted, and 2. It was only 10 miles away in Portland!!!!!! I thought I was going to cry.
Today at high tide we have water in the marsh! Photo on Facebook ( still can't access photos here).

Lists

Many lists. I'm so tired if I go out without a list I forget the important things. My feet are killing me- been a while since I've stood on them for 8 hrs or more a day. Tomorrow I'm cutting myself off at 7. The ktchen is workable and I'm planning on making dinner. The floor guy came to measure so we can get rid of the horrible carpet (3 different kinds) in the upstairs. No cable yet so the trusty iPhone is it for now. Plumber, pest control, etc on the list too. Glad I don't have to go to work for 2 more weeks. Oh, and the deck is heavenly-the sound of wind through the trees, just enough sun to be warm, birds and bees.

Terrible, horrible, no good, pretty bad (sucky) day (apologies to Alexander)

Not a complaint (we're moving to Maine!!) but a fact.
1. It RAINED ALL DAY
2. We had to change/retape/fix the lights on the motorcycle trailer twice (including finding a walmart to buy a new set)
3. (see 1 & 2) We left at 0730 and got to our stopping place at 2200 (10pm).
But I learned Simone and Jack like British Classic Rock. After being quiet all day, they started singing along with Fleetwood Mac (1/2 of them are British). They especially liked Pink Floyd. Led Zeppelin, not so much.
And guess what happens first tomorrow? We get to go to walmart again for yet another set of lights. The roads in PA were so bad one of them jumped off the trailer. And we had even taped it down because the other one had jumped earlier. Let it be known the cats were WAY less trouble than the trailer.
But just a little less than 400 miles and we'll be home.

The journey of 1183 miles begins....

A little emotional driving away this afternoon. A little emotional on the road. Annelle in the truck, me in the Honda. Amazingly, Jack and Simone were very quiet. Irregular meows off and on but lots of silence. A few times I had to take roll: "Jack? "meow". "Simone?" "meow". Anytime I started talking they would talk back. They DO NOT like the motel, however. Simone is staying in the carrier and Jack has finally calmed down and is sitting next to me purring like a nut. Tomorrow 10 hours on the road though. Oh, I did give them a few drops of the homeopathic anti anxiety stuff. I think it worked!!

30 years

Today was my last day of work at ARMC. Someone who works at the hospital brought me a photo from 1981 when she had her first baby and I was with her. Little, young thing that I was then. I know it hasn't hit me yet. And I know it will. But immediately following my party I started the truck packing. Lots of help from some strong, smart packers and I still can barely move. Tomorrow the caravan pulls out, cats and all. Stay tuned.

Insomnia

This must stop. Really. The magic happens the minute my head hits the pillow: brain in overdrive. All the errands, work to be done here, work to be done there, how the cats will do, yadda, yadda, yadda. Maybe if I make a concerted effort to think this hard during the day I'll get it out of my system. I've had to buy a second bottle of children's benadryl (I hate the hangover if I take an adult dose).  Thankfully there is less than 1 week of this to go. Then I'll be so exhausted for a week or so I'll sleep like a baby. Perfect.
Open house here in Athens on Sunday.  Fingers xxxed.

Churning mind

Have started a couple of posts in the last week. Oh, my. Family health up in the air. Only 2 more weeks here in GA for me. Telling people, admitting to myself, that I'm leaving is so much harder than I ever expected. And its combined with lots of excitement and anticipation. New place, new job, new house, new everything. Overwhelming, thrilling. And disturbing to be leaving when my family is in flux. Not a lot of easy sleeping going on here.

A Big Day

1. It's the 12th anniversary of our "official" union. We'll be sharing the bubbly over the phone. :(
2. Dump run for all the junk in the back yard. Thank you to Michael.
3. Hot tub now lives at Anne and Creig's house. Those 3 men did 2 days work this morning getting that thing moved. I KNOW they're glad it's over. And now we have a little deck big enough for the table and chairs outside. Very cute. Maybe I'll conquer the photo thing today.
4. Oh, and the Dawgs play tonight (though I'm betting most of you don't really care about that.)

St Joseph is upside down in the flower bed putting his mojo out, I hope. The house is all ready for it's new family.

Too quiet

Not much going on here at 170 other than faxing and fed-exing. Think I may do a little more packing. The weekend was not fun, wishing (even with Irene in the picture)to be there instead of here. Not that there's anything wrong with here! All those who said I wouldn't stay until the house sells- you're absolutely right. What was I thinking?? I lie awake thinking about the house, the job, the weather. Then I'm too tired to deal with the lonely part. So I'll be leaving at the end of September. Turned in my resignation (30 years- aughh). Ready to jump in with both feet.

Quiet morning

It's early, cool, so quiet it seems unnatural. Making the to-do list for the day. Athens farmer's market is on it- I haven't been in weeks. Figuring out the transitional routine.
I'm usually aimless when Annelle is gone. Seems odd for such an independent cuss like me, huh? I guess a few days doesn't a routine make. But a month or so, now that involves some reorganization on my part.

R&R

This afternoon I get to do just about nothing. I'll tell you: I need it. Jack and I are chillaxin on the couch. I'm planning on reading. Many tasks need to be done, but not today.
The reality of the amount of change still to come is daunting. More packing, more moving, paperwork (lots of paperwork).... And when?
I'm not a person who is at home with uncertainty. My stomach (and everything attached to it) is not at home with uncertainty (tmi?).
But Jack is purring, and that helps.

Update

House showing here this evening!! Hope she loves it. And we're closer to having a house in Maine too! Very exciting day.

Ambivalence

At the Portland Jetport way before 6am. LONG line through security- looked like Atlanta, almost! Smooth flight that got in early, so here I am waiting for the Athens shuttle. In the shade it's cool and breezy.
The realtor caravan is headed for our little house this morning. They have a large group come through so they can be knowledgable when they show it. Hopefully they'll see how cute it is and get it sold ASAP.
I am ready to get the move finalized. Very ready. But home is still Athens, for I don't know how long, in my soul. For years I wouldn't have moved away if someone had paid me to leave. This dream may be the craziest thing I've ever done, and I'm ok with that, I think. The leaving friends part, now that's a big wild card. Something for another post.

Busy Monday

Annelle's first day of work. J & D at school meeting. So Bert and I spent the day exploring some of midcoast Maine. Bath and Wiscasset. LL Bean in Freeport. Lots of water crossings. Hoards at Bean (back to school is on the way up here). More exploring before beers at Re Ra's Irish pub. Then one more house to see (sigh). Cute, but not for us. Then a delicious dinner that included some of the best mussels (Anne, you need to try these)I've ever eaten, along with the last extended view of the ocean that I'll have for a while.
So I'm back to Athens very early in the morning. Maybe we'll have a house up here someday soon. Fingers crossed.

Lazy Saturday

69 degrees this morning. Jane's homemade granola, locally picked strawberries, Jittery Joe's coffee. Planning a few drive-bys before a boat trip from Pine Point out into Casco Bay.
The two houses we saw yesterday were absolute busts. Educational as well: the second house's owner was still home and was quite a talker (she had recently had surgery.) Her daughter was watching tv in the living room and she asked us not to disturb her son sleeping in one of the upstairs bedrooms. Oh, and they are tearing the garage down (it's on a second lot) to build a smaller place next door to live. Oh, no.
Annelle lives in Maine! Hoping I follow soon.

Aah, no more state lines to cross

Truck unpacked and returned to Penske. Showers taken. The day is ours!
This morning, driving by the marsh and through tree-lined streets, I am clear about what we're doing here. A few weeks ago when we were here, in the middle of panic, I was not so sure. Those moments may recur (knowing me) but there is a different calm just now.

State of Maine

Crossed into Maine at 5:44pm. Almost there. Can't figure the photo thing out yet but did get the sign as we whizzed by! Unpacking and house hunting tomorrow. Reveling tonight immediately upon arrival.
More when the brain is able.
Wahoo!!!

Lane(s) closed

Next milestone-Scranton, PA. Got on the road this morning a little earlier (0830) and have fewer miles to cover. We all are absolutely over effing roadwork. Seriously. Lanes closed right and left since we've been on I 81. We finally got in just before 11 last night because of all the delays.
Today we expect better travel luck. In the beautiful Poconos with lots of sun and fluffy clouds. The future's so bright we have to wear shades!

Somewhere in Virginia

Still miles to go before we sleep. Waiting for the truck so we can play musical chairs. Refueling. Ice cream? Coffee (yeah, at a gas station)? No-doz?

Herd o' turtles

Greetings from the great state of North Carolina. Followed everyone around this morning with a cloth, whipping up a "buy me" shine all around. Finally pulled out of the ATM at 0912. Heading for Harrisburg, PA tonight, Portland sometime tomorrow evening. Peanuts, Co-Cola, carrots and pimiento cheese (alas, not Marti's) sammiches. Allagash in the cooler for nightcaps.

The Penske Truck

All packed and ready to roll out in the early morning. We have a garage again! The more real it becomes, the more unreal it seems. Planning to blog on the road while in the passenger seat instead of my usual knitting (which I'll do also, to pass the time.) Baby blankets and socks are perfect travel projects.

Insulation

I keep thinking about shedding insulation. Definition (c. 1538) from the Latin insulatus :"to make into an island". Or (c.1785) "cause a person to be detached from surroundings". The heat/electric definitions came later.
So it seems being in one place for so long can increase the insulation in life. Safety, a protective covering. Something that will not exist in the same way in new surroundings. Offering a look outside the protection, to seek other ways of being, doing, living. I don't see it as much a new beginning as another path chosen along the route. A different way to get to the place I've been going all along. Kind of like when the grocery store moves all the food around and you have to actually look at the shelves, which, in doing, causes you to notice things that have been there all along but haven't been as visible in the automaticity of shopping (I make my shopping list by aisles, FYI).
Truck packing tomorrow!

Dirigo

It's Maine's state motto. der'/ri/go, or der'/i/go. Translated: I lead, or I guide. Dere I go! Dare I go? Kind of fitting for this new journey. And new blog.
A lot of the packing is done, the sign is in the front yard (need a cute little house in Athens, GA?)and the caravan leaves on Wednesday. Three travelers, an Element, and a Penske truck. Moving from Georgia to Maine. I still can't believe it's happening.
So I've decided to cronicle the physical, emotional, regional, spiritual (and who knows what else)changes involved. Remember, most of the writing I've done in the last 30 years has been nurse's notes. But I'm kind of excited about what's ahead.
Hope you enjoy the trip.