Monday, October 8, 2012

The Perils of Going To The Library!

The Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers.  Come see what others share from the slices of their lives!  Come visit!


      Near my school is a Denver library branch, and I’ve started the habit of placing books on hold, then when I’m notified I go to pick them up.  A week ago last Friday I stopped in to pick up an audio book, got back in the car, and thought I’d drive around the neighborhood.  Remember, I have been thinking of moving, especially to be closer ‘into’ the city, to be near my daughter and family and nearer to my work.  

       However, I’ve not been in a hurry, slowly cleaning things out, looking at next year perhaps.  I’ve been in this same house for 34 years.  When one knows a place so long, it has become an intimate relationship.  I know what part of the upper hall squeaks when walked upon and I know which drainpipe tends to slip out of its connection after some bad weather.  I know which sink drains slowly.  I see my children’s ghosts everywhere in memories of their growing up. I see my husband and I sitting at our built-in booth.  And, I know that if I sit on the front porch very quietly, I will often have one of my neighbor sparrows come sit with me. 

I know.


       But on this day, I drove around this new neighborhood, and half a block (HALF A BLOCK)  down from the library is this place for sale.  It is two blocks from a town center with multiple restaurants, including a great bagel place, groceries and a divine spice shop.  It is two miles from my work.  It has a park a block away, and green space right outside the gate.  It is 15 blocks from my granddaughter’s pre-school.

       So, I bought it.  It’s been 9 days, right?  I am crazy and sad and excited all at the same time.  I hope that all the paperwork and loan stuff goes okay.  I think it will, yet I feel rather pragmatic about it.  If it’s a go, it is.  Or, I’ll look again.

       But, I love the place, had the inspection today and took time again to really look and imagine my things in these rooms.   It was fun and scary all over again.  My mother taught me through the way she lived her life how to be resilient in the face of challenge.  I believe I can do this, and it will be a good move.

         Here are a few photos of views out some windows.  You know I love the out of doors; these views are important to me.
out one window in what would be my bedroom

out what might be an office-an ancient cottonwood

a second view by the cottonwood, into more lawn

       Here’s to change!  Every year I write this quote at the beginning of my writer's notebook and follow it as much as I am able:  Let's just muddle through today.  That's what I say.  We can't take care of tomorrow until it gets here.  Elizabeth George in With No One As Witness.


45 comments:

  1. What a lovely setting! And the best part - to be half a block from the library! I'm green with envy. I hope it works out for you. I love the quote you put in your writer's notebook.

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    1. Thanks Ramona. Isn't it fun how different ones of us look for different things. I am excited too, as you can see, about the library!

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  2. Very exciting, Linda! Trees, library, bagels, spices, work, family -- sounds promising :-) I like the quote in your notebook, too. Sometimes I put Poor Poets by Francisco Alarcon in the front of my notebook. http://rodrigo305.livejournal.com/1942.html Maybe as a reminder to check my pockets for keys.

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    1. Thanks, Tabatha, love the Poor Poets. It fits, doesn't it? Good words help us live well.

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  3. It sounds like there was some "destiny" in that drive-by finding of an this new chapter of your life. To be closer to the library, bagels and the human loves of your life, it might just be worth the smiles and tears that will inevitably come from the "rereading" of the many chapters written at your "old" house. Taking it one day (and one page) at a time will help to make the "rereading" more manageable.

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    1. Your advice is lovely, Anita "one day (and one page) at a time" will help immensely. Thank you!

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  4. Congratulations on new adventures! I pack a mean box if you need help!

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    1. Thanks, Carol, & I assume that if this is all a 'go' that we will be nearer?

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  5. I'm a big believer in fate and that's what your trip to the library sounds like to me. I was reading along and saw that you bought it and I just started laughing. How awesome! Hope everything goes through smoothly!

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    1. I believe in fate too, Katherine. Perhaps that's why I grabbed this fast! Thanks for your wishes.

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  6. When one knows a place so long, it has become an intimate relationship- I love that line. I have lived in my house just over a third of the time you have lived in yours, but I've lived here longer than any one house in my life. One day, you will be thinking how well you know the new place and all its memories and the ghosts will be your grandchildren, maybe.

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    1. You are so right-and it's time to make new memories, too! Thank you.

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  7. Holy Cow. I began reading. Lingering in your description of your home. The line "So I bought it" took me by surprise. I read it several times. And now I am so excited for you. I believe as Anita and Katherine. Fate has a funny way of showing us a new path. Here's to yours! Congratulations.

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    1. Thanks Deb. I think I've been taken by surprise too, but it's a good thing I know.

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  8. Near a library, bagel place, spice shop and your duaghter, and it also has lovely trees to watch in their seasonal glory and a park in which to frolic with your granddaughter. I'd say you've found just the place to put your things about you and call home, my friend.

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  9. I admire you for letting go and moving on.

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  10. Wow! Good for you, leaping into a new phase of your life. This place looks amazing and sounds like a perfect location. One never knows what lies around the next corner. Congratulations!

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    1. thanks Elsie, it's fairly nerve-wracking, but exciting too!

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  11. I can feel the bittersweet feeling you have about moving closer to your daughter and to work (and the great bagel place), while feeling uncertain about leaving something that is familiar. You're headed in the right direction, Linda. I imagine it will take an adjustment period, but it sounds like everything is lining up perfectly and that it will work out for you.

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    1. Thank you Stacey, you are so perceptive, but I don't think I would have moved so swiftly if it hadn't felt so right. Mixed feelings for sure.

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  12. I just wonder if I missed something in your past posts or maybe not. Maybe you're the person who is truly positive and makes life worth living every day. I know how you feel about your home of 34 years. Our first home was 17 years and now this one is 23 years. I still visit the one I had for 17 years--loved it. Your new windows in the pictures had me. Your description of the neighborhood is so inviting. You bought it, and you knew it was right! Congratulations to you, Linda. You're an inspiration.

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    1. No, I don't think you missed anything, Tam. The changes in my life to do with my husband has me making many new kinds of decisions and one of those is making life easier via being 'closer' to things-especially my husband & my daughter, but work & library is good too! Thank you always for your great support.

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  13. How exciting for you! To be able to find something you love so quickly is wonderful! Here's to change and new beginnings!

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    1. Thanks Beverley. It is exciting to make changes & then I'll do new exploration. Who knows what might be possible?

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  14. I'm muddling too lately...but I know you can do it and open this new part of your life book. What's the block...I need to get to Denver...just a year and a half for me. I kow that I can do it; just not sure about Dave. xo the library....you will so enjoy that!

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    1. You want to move to Denver? After retiring? Wow-that's great. I am looking at 2nd & Poplar, just west of Quebec. Let me know what you're thinking!

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  15. It sounds just perfect! Thanks for sharing the views. Fingers crossed that everything works out!!

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  16. Wow...it doesn't get much better than this...

    Location....location...location....

    Trees.....

    And most importantly....family....

    I love that you will be closer to your family and your granddaughter with more precious moments to celebrate.

    Congrats.

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    1. Thank you Maya-very exciting, & I just couldn't not try. You are so right-the location is priceless.

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  17. I love this story. So exciting and scary all at the same time. Those views are beautiful. It sounds like it was meant to be.

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    1. Thanks-I certainly won't be relaxing any time soon. And yes, I love looking out the windows!

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  18. You are brave. It takes courage to move forward and let go of things, If you don't get this I hope you find something even more exciting.

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    1. Hey, thanks Lori. It's a good thought to just keep going, isn't it?

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  19. Quite a delightful surprise Linda! I was surprised too when you jumped in and bought the place! It was meant to be and all will work out. You saw 'home' in this new house and I'm so happy for you.

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    1. Thanks Michelle. I think I've continued to be surprised for this past week, too. I keep saying "wow", this is really happening, while filling out all the paperwork, of course.

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  20. Congratulations on your move Linda,
    I am so happy for you that you knew it when you found it. I hope you enjoy it as much as you can-it seems like the perfect fit!

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    1. Hi Amy-thanks very much. I'm sure I will let all of you know when more happens. Right now I'm awash in paperwork!

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  21. That's what I call a fantastic trip to the library. So happy that you made the "tour" of the area and found a special place to call home. Somethings are just meant to be. I hope and pray that all will go well with the closing and move so that you can make new memories for you and your family.

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    1. Thank you Judy. What a surprising day I had, just picking up a book!

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  22. Hooray for you, Linda! I always say to my husband that I'd love to live in walking distance of our library and our wonderful downtown area. Unfortunately, all the homes near there are out of our reach. I'm so happy you can have your dream. The house sounds perfect for you.

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  23. Oh dear Linda, I've missed this post. Now I understand what the other comments mean, this place has found you indeed. I congratulate you on your courage to evolve, grow, and embrace change. Very few people find the energy for that, remaining unhappily rooted in their safe corners of the world. I embrace this move with you. :)

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