Hello. Here I am again. I've retired (well, semi-retired). I live in Buffalo now, not on the Cumberland Plateau. I've left my beautiful little church, my beautiful house, my beautiful (too big) gardens. I'm still trying to downsize. I've left a 4-bedroom house and now live in two rooms. My garden is now a small backyard - something more like what I can manage. I live in a great city with my best friend, and spend lots of time with dear people, doing things I love. I have time to experiment and try things out. I have a new computer. My new car, after hitting a deer and spending a month in the shop, is working out great, except the AAA guy tells me I've got to drive it more, because of its teeny-tiny battery needing a longer charge. Everything is very close to home here. I walk a lot. I also got a new (to me)/used French 5-speed bicycle that I ride pretty often. I take a few yoga classes. I only set my alarm on Sunday, usually.
I don't do full-time parish work anymore. I work Sunday and one other day for a dear parish (more about that sometime), and I work Thursday night at a service that's designed for the 12-step community. I love it all. Sometime I'm going to record some of that Thursday service and post it here, because it's so unique.
It's getting very close to snow season. We had a few flakes yesterday, but none stuck. Today was gorgeous, but cool. Though the fall leaves are past their peak, my street is still drop-dead gorgeous.
I'm planning another trip to France sometime in the late spring, this time with good friends. I'll drive around in the mountains and look for Black Madonnas. But Provence will be home base, and I'll be with a couple of French-speakers.
I want to tell you much more about all of it. There are so many open doors and coincidences, that it all feels meant-to-be. But I'm still here, yes, still alive and kicking and with my darling Clementine (dog), since dear Buddy went to heaven shortly before I left Tennessee.
As Rachel Maddow says, "Watch this space."
Ann, I am so happy to read your post. You clearly sound joyous! Glad for you and your new life!
Posted by: Loretta | November 02, 2014 at 07:29 PM
I am very happy for you :) It was great talking with you today......I think I am quite sad about the church and having a hard time dealing with it...Maybe because I know I cannot save it, dang!!!
Love and hugs
Posted by: Cynthia Freels | November 02, 2014 at 09:35 PM
Cynthia, this sounds like a true nurse -- aren't you supposed to be able to save everyone?? (grin)
Posted by: Ann Markle | November 02, 2014 at 10:45 PM
So nice to read your voice. Please call!
Posted by: Janeen Carrell | November 03, 2014 at 10:42 AM
Ann: I'm sorry I'm late getting to your post; I rarely check Facebook anymore, so I wasn't aware you were writing here again. In any case, you do sound happy, and that's great to hear. I have some questions: first, why did your car hit a deer? Had the deer offended it in some way? Are you concerned that, in France, your rental car might decide to sideswipe a Black Madonna or two? Finally, since when does Rachel Maddow tell people to watch your blog? That's very impressive; I didn't even realize the two of you knew each other.
Posted by: Jack Shifflett | November 16, 2014 at 08:09 PM
So, it is getting near snow season? From what I read, snow season has arrived in Buffalo. I hope you can keep your car in the garage and yourself indoors. Your reaction to the weather must be part of your next blog entry. So much to tell and I for one am looking forward to hearing about it.
Posted by: Beryl Ament | November 18, 2014 at 09:21 PM