Once Upon a Time ...

Chestnut Street, Salem MA 2024

Change is inevitable. Like death, it's the one thing in this life that we can count on. Our situation changes. Our life changes. Our relationships change. Whether we're ready or not, we change. This is the year that I've had. 

Early Summer, 2024. Newly fixed steps and landscaping.

Oh don't get me wrong, things are good ... very good actually. Ed and I are happily living in our little Midcentury Modern Cape on the outskirts of the McIntire District in Salem, MA. Maude, the name we gave our home, is getting the love that she so desperately needed and deserves. She's been deep cleaned and her walls have been painted. The windows, roof, and siding have been replaced. This year we had the chimney repointed and I fixed the front steps, myself. We build our garden and finally finished the landscaping. Maude and her beautiful garden are wonderfully cozy.

Doc and Ziggy, 2 years old and counting!

The pups are doing well. They keep us very busy with their antics, but we wouldn't have it any other way. They are full-fledged dogs with full-fledged doggie personalities. They go to daycare when we go out on dates and, from what we've been told, they are well-behaved and play nicely with the other pups. This surprised us because Ziggy (the white one) hates other dogs and Doc follows along. Both completely freak out on the leash when other dogs are around, but in daycare! angels. Go figure. They are now "backyard" dogs. They get to be off the leash in the backyard. They play fetch, chase each other, and "patrol" the borders for those garden destroyers: BUNNIES! Doc almost caught two! He's fast as lightening and sends those rabbits a'running. I swear one day he's going to catch one.

The Majestic Bijou. 5 years and counting.

Bijou is as gorgeous and wonderful as always. She's such a smooshy kitty! She accepted the boys immediately and even plays with them -- chasing them and getting chased by them. She still loves her daddy to bits and pieces! And she still gives me morning smooches and head bumps. She's the best kitty we've ever had and I'm so grateful she's in our life.

Halloween 2024

Yes, things are really good ... but things have changed quite a bit. I am now teaching full-time for the University of Mississippi. I'm a remote, Instructional Assistant Professor of Art History. HOORAY! I'm also eyeball deep in writing ... finally. sigh ... it's been a long slumber, but it's time to emerge from my academic burrow. Things are changing. Things ALWAYS change. I have changed.

As my Mom would say, I'm in my second act. I started going through menopause this year. Night sweats, hot flashes, a sluggish metabolism and subsequent weight-gain surprised the hell out of me. My face is changing. My body is changing. I have a substantial amount of "snow on the roof," though you wouldn't be able to tell because I'm still dying my hair. I'm a bit slower, but much sharper and seasoned. I am absolutely aware of my mortality. I am 52 years old. My father died when he was 69 and my mother died when she was 73. My grandmothers were longer lived: maternal, 85, and paternal 93. This realization isn't sad or scary. It's empowering. Like the naked branches of the trees, my life is laid bare for me to contemplate. 

We waste so much of our youth worrying what others think, what we're going to "be," and what we're going to "do." We are always looking forward -- 5 year goals, New Year's Resolutions, plans, etc. -- that we don't notice life passing us by. Before we know it, we're at our halfway point and wondering what the hell happened! This year I've accepted that I have only 17 to 41 years left. Again, this isn't scary or sad. It just is.

Mugging with Jellycat Jack at the PEM

Change is inevitable. And that's a good thing. I'm just happy I get to go through old age with my silly weirdo, Ed. Yes, things change ... but our relationship is as strong as ever. We've accepted that we're aging and that we find joy in the garden, camping, our home, Salem, the pups and kitty, and, of course, each other. We are slowing down together and loving every minute of the process. I'm grateful that I get to grow old with my best friend. I know he feels the same.

Halloween 2024.

Welcome back into my world, dear readers. Our journey together will be slower, more contemplative, but definitely beautiful. I can't guarantee that there will be much Goth fashion or makeup or spookiness ... but there will be art and gardening and adventuring and a whole lot of cooking and nesting. Hell, there will be chickens! More on that later. Welcome aboard ... now let's get started.