O-kee-doe-kee Harry, dear. I don’t intentionally annoy you. That is simply the result of me expressing myself.
I’m glad you don’t hate “Fogyville”. I don’t either. It’s a very attractive place to live. I think I would be very happy here when I’m in my 80s or 90s…if I’m incapacitated.
If I continue to live here, I will not live to be in my 80s. I will die from isolation and social deprivation if heat stroke doesn’t get me first.
Whose fault is that? Yours!!
When we first bought this house we had our mountain house too. We had a place to go in the summer where it was cool. We were “Snowbirds” like most of the folks who live in the retirement communities throughout the Sunbelt. My grandparents and your parents had winter homes in the Sunbelt. They didn’t have fancy places but comfortable middle-class digs like we have. We are fortunate to have gotten this house…in this place…for later.
I have struggled to find my place here. I do like all of the people I’ve met. The community center is incredible. The weather from November through April is delightful. We’re reasonably close (or far) to most of our children and grandchildren. There are no natural disasters common to our area…yet.
Our community is about a 30-minute drive to a huge city. Just a couple of minutes walk up the road we have a grocery store, three restaurants, a beauty shop, post office, and gas station.
Within the confines of our small abode…you manage to stay entertained. You paint, you write, you sleep, you eat three meals a day and you talk to your pets.
You seem content.
You, pleased as punch.
Yo…going slowly and methodically insane.
“Bloom where you’re planted” is my mantra. At least that’s what it says on my post-it notes with the little pink flowers on them. Just my style!!
I need Frida Kahlo post-it notes that say, VIVA! COLOR!! AMOR!!!
I am fitting in though. I haven’t gained weight…it has just moved around. I’m getting the Fogyville derriere. It is not advertised as one of the amenities. It is a side effect of being in forced, air-conditioned hibernation for six months in the summer, sitting at the computer working on things no one cares about. Taking breaks to grocery shop, cook, do laundry, and clean the kitchen become little mini-vacations.
Don’t misunderstand…I do appreciate the times you suggest we go on an “outing” to the “big city”. That usually involves more grocery shopping at Costco or Wal-Mart…and…lunch out.
Not what I had planned on looking forward to when I get up in the morning.
I will try to adjust, Harry.
What a challenge to live Vibrantly in one of those Senior Citizens' Developments, for sure. Me? I want to be around people of all ages and all socio-economic ranges.
ReplyDeleteOur "Snowbird Cottage" is in the process of being built in part of our daughter's large detached garage (the one-bedroom "Hobbitat" will be only 20' x 23') in Burlington, VT. It's in a decidedly blue collar area of that wonderful college town.
Being from Philly, we surely have that Snowbird concept backwards, but I personally like the different kinds of challenging beauty the cold weather can bring. Especially when one doesn't have to clear the snowy driveway early enough to get to work on time. :)
Best of luck and creative living with your chosen location(s).