Going, going, gone

I blinked this afternoon and my house sold. Well, it hasn’t sold but I have an interested (and lovely) couple that may close on it this month. Of course, they may end up with Helen (my armoire since I was 6-ish) due to the fact Helen has grown and doesn’t want to leave the room she has comfortably resided in for 3 1/2 years. But I’m persistent and know deep down that Helen got in the room, therefore will be persuaded out (without the use of an axe).

Still have not said goodbye to the house, that will happen later (I left a mattress there). I did see some good folk for lunch while in Tally and a doctor to tell me that “yes” I’m sick and “yes” I need medicine and “NO” I can’t eat. The fever diet may do me in before anything else (not even soup!).

Now at the farm after a lovely drive listening to Bach and some others. I’m alone as long as the cats do not disturb me for a bit. Sorry so few posts lately, but it has been hectic. But I did have a lovely Thanksgiving with the Howard-Barrs and 33 other family members and friendly people. The cranberries were almost forgotten — but their presence was too important for me to not realize the absence and glory was there in its jellied and whole form. Hope everyone is coping, loving and laughing in the whirlwind season. I’m trying to.

these are the days

Holiday season is upon us. In my family it is officially rung in with Duncan’s birthday (11/21) and yesterday was his 40th. So my trifecta of 40-year-olds comes to an end. Duncan proved to be the easiest because he only wanted me to travel as far as the farm to celebrate. The first two 40-year olds this fall required trips to New York and North Carolina, so thanks Duncan for making it easy on me. That, and mom made the best Chocolate Cake I’ve Ever Had for D and I’m still happily swollen.

And now, cranberry (my favorite part of Thanksgiving). We are all going to be packed into the farm with family and friends and so much food I’m almost sick just thinking about it. After that more festivities, packing, Christmas, selling of homes, flying. Busy. But, I get to have lunch with the fabulous music library folks soon and I’ll hopefully see some of my other library crew before severing from Tallahassee. (oh, and that will be an entirely different post)

So, essentially I’m just taking this halcyon moment to tell all of you thanks for reading, keeping up, sharing, etc. I’ll continue with this (and other writing projects) for now and can’t wait to share Florence with you as an unemployed -living in a room – impoverished – adventure seeker. I think it will look very different. But as long as wonder bounds around the everyday— hopefully worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reading

Jessica recently encouraged me to read the Tolkien trilogy again and last week I finally felt I could begin. Up until about 10 years ago, I read the trilogy every year since the age of 12. Hearing about Peter Jackson’s efforts at bringing them to the screen, I decided to put my ritual to rest in anticipation of the movie. At some point, I did sneak a reading in there, but it was quick and more like filling a need rather than a reading.

So here I go again. Reading for me is in part the complete removal from my physical environment. Escapism is putting it mildly. I think that is why The Lord of the Rings has captivated me so much — it encompasses adventure, pain, happiness, friendship, ethics, language — well you get the point. A whole world is created and I get to travel it. And this time, it feels very much like a reunion. Over my long absence, I’d forgotten about how much they all meant to me. I can now look back at my 12 year old self and remember the terrible crush I had on Aragorn (he really is king of men) and how much Samwise perked me up even in the rough spots and the complete feeling of hatred towards Mr. Tolkien when he dropped Gandalf into a dark abyss and the joy at his return. Now I have the benefit of really reading it. Certain lines still me as an adult that went right over my head as a teenager. I now see how much this book has had an impact on me. So thanks Jessica for the push.

And to the rest of you, try to go and reacquaint yourself with an old favorite. You may find a little bit of childhood you had forgotten about.

Christmas in November (and Rummy too)

It’s been too long since I felt this way. I remember in 2000 sticking my “I voted” sticker on my bedroom wall confident that I would wake up with one of my heroes in office. As a Florida voter, I took 2000 personally. Then 2004. Ugh. And no, Tuesday didn’t redeem anything really and it certainly isn’t going to make all of the damage done go away, but at least I felt a tad hopeful that the electoral process does not always fail.

Well, nationally went well. In Walton County they are using the computerized voting machines so predictably the same numbers were put up and it went to the dark side. No one likes Katherine Harris. Not even here; yet there she was as the winner in this district. Thankfully, other counties — including Leon with a stellar 65% voter turn out — use paper ballots still. So, no, dad didn’t win. But as he pointed out (have I mentioned he is an Aries) if he had won, it would have proven him wrong. And the man loves to be right.

Still at the farm. Signs to take up and things to do here before major changes occur to sell my Tallahassee home.

Gold

When I arrived in North Carolina last Thursday for Shelby’s birthday, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. My first leg landed me in Charlotte and it was one of the most breathtaking autumn palates I’ve seen. Red, gold, yellow, orange with intermittent green surrounding lakes and rivers. Living in Florida for so long has deprived me of a real Fall and that scene brought it all back to me.

Taking the highway from Raleigh to Wake Forest brought me close up to the spectacle. The Midas touched smaller trees seemed aflame under their more austere and older evergreens. Each leaf seemed an awakening. Why we don’t all rush to the hills to experience autumn is beyond me; but I hope to not miss too many more.

The party was fun. Reuniting with several friends before my leave and taking part in the celebration of one of my best friends 40 years on earth was very rewarding. Michelle put together a movie of Shelby’s life in pictures and music which was priceless, funny and a good reminder as to why we are all friends and a nice history of the roots of that friendship. It was a golden moment. There was a bonfire to ward off the cold that night and lots of new people for me to talk to. But nothing like talking to old friends — the ones you don’t have to say anything to because they already kind of know.

Now I’m off to the farm for dad’s election day. Keep your fingers crossed and wish him the best. Don’t forget to vote today!!! It may seem like just another mid-term election, but so much is at stake. So VOTE (or else . . .).

PS — I purchased my ticket back to Florence. Leaving at the end of December! More on that later.