Wreck of the Hesperus

When's the last time you moved? 5... 10... 20 years ago?

As we get older, we tend to stay put and I wonder... is it because we were finally able to afford a house? A place to call home?  

Or... is it because moving is such a pain in the arse? :)

I've searched, in vain, through the many boxes demanding my attention, and have yet to find any of the kitchen items I so desperately need. Have been limping along with one iced tea glass for 12 days.  And, I broke it yesterday so now I am highly motivated...

My Mother lived in the same house her entire adult life.

Mom & Dad purchased their house when she was 21 years old and never once considered moving.

When you live in a place for so very long it is filled, to the brim, with really important junk you have absolutely no use for. Things you haven't looked at in decades but simply cannot throw away. [To her credit, chaos be damned, she always knew exactly where to find things.]

So, Mom has one up on me. I was thinking about that, this morning, during my desperate search for a bread pan. It's snowing outside. I want to bake bread. And, I could! If I'd get in gear and unpack all these boxes life wouldn't be such a mystery.

But, this house is in such a state of disrepair, it's hard to get motivated.

Where to begin? With the broken light fixtures? Replacing closet doors that, for some odd reason, the tenants decided to throw away?

12 years, as a rental property and, boy, did this house take a beating. I'd interview, check references, do the do-diligence but I never did find a decent renter in all that time. Either I'm a bad judge of character or tenants just don't care.

In spite of the mess, I'm still very happy to be here.

I outta the rut, into the red. (Long live Home Depot's 0% financing scheme) and I'm hopeful this pig sty feels halfway liveable by Christmas.

* You had to be a very special plant to accompany me on the big move. I kept the ancient Christmas cactus {20+ years for Aunt Edna.} The apricot 'kid' cactus who is aspiring to live as long as Edna. Uncle Henry ~ the 8 foot tall eyesore African Milk Tree ~ only because I couldn't sucker anyone into adopting him. :) Orchids, of course. And, the Azalea. We can't grow Azaleas in our high alkaline soil but I can happily enjoy their cheerful blooms, indoors.

** Wreck of the Hesperus is a cool, old poem, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The title phrase is often used colloquially to indicate a disheveled appearance. A fitting name for my new fixer upper.


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