A story of home

House reflections

In life, a person will come and go from many homes.  We may leave a house, a town, a room, but that does not mean those places leave us.  Once entered, we never entirely depart the homes we make for ourselves in the world.  They follow us, like shadows, until we come upon them again, waiting for us in the mist.

~ Ari Berk

Early morning sunlight on the outer edge of the woods

For several years now, M and I have thought that we were settled here in the Bogs.  This would be the place where we would retire, spend time with our family, and watch our grandchildren and the trees in the Future Woods grow.  Oh, it’s unlikely we’d live long enough to see the Future Woods become a forest of any stature.  We planted indigenous, slow-growing, trees.  Sugar maples, oaks, black cherry, black walnut, and one copper beech (which M planted for me).  There are trees that were planted in honor of people or occasions.  There are plants M has moved around because they wouldn’t grow where they were originally planted, and now they are thriving because he took the time to learn about the land and the plants.  The small Norway Spruce trees planted to block our view of a new McMansion that went up next door are now large, and have become homes for a variety of birds.  The evergreens planted at the back of the pond grow taller every year.  This spring I am waiting to see how our Golden Dawn Redwood tree wintered, and am pleased to report the presence of new growth in spite of the cold spring we’ve had so far.

Making themselves at home

But I digress.  I’ll probably do a lot of that throughout this post so bear with me.

The early morning sunlight had pink tones to it.  Yes, that is snow on the ground.  Good grief.

We have been living in this area for 13 years, and here at Breezy Acres for 10 years.  The house was a mess when we bought it, but it had good bones.  Little by little, we’ve put flesh on those bones, turning the house into a home.  We have earned a great deal of sweat equity.  Sometimes I think that’s the best kind (a financial planner would likely disagree).

Still waiting

Home, it is said, isn’t just a matter of place.  It’s a matter of heart, too.  We have put our hearts into this place and this property, but our hearts go with us wherever we go.

Sunshine glowing in the tulips

And go we will.  M and I are leaving the Bogs and moving to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  We will have new adventures and new places to explore.  New plants, new animals, new climate, and I was thinking yesterday, new light.  I’m sure the light must be at least a little different given the climate and the fact that it’s south of the Mason-Dixon line.  And hey!  We’ll be close to the beach and the wild horses of Assateague and Chincoteague.

A wavy reflection of the sky on the pond

The move is the reason I’ve been posting like crazy when I could.  I’ve been out walking around the pond, the meadows, the woods, and the Future Woods, saying my goodbyes.  At first those goodbyes involved a few tears and some sadness.  The tears and sadness have gradually dissolved, and in their place is acceptance, mindfulness, and even a sense of excitement and anticipation about what’s to come.

Sunlight skips across the pond

I have been so fortunate (blessed!) to have lived in this beautiful place where I’ve had a chance to truly get to know the meadows, the woods, the pond, and all the trails.  When I look back on the Outdoor Challenge from almost three years ago, it almost seems as if this move is the next step on that same path.  It’s hard to explain in a way that makes sense so I won’t try.

The sky is alive with clouds

We have another month or so here in the Bogs.  I have already been busy packing, and as it gets closer to the actual move, you’ll probably see less of me.  I would have told you all this sooner, but we had to wait until all the i’s were dotted and t’s were crossed and the decision was finalized.  There have been a number of opportunities for us to change our minds and decide to stay here, yet each time something has pointed towards moving on and we’ve heeded the feeling or intuition or whatever you would like to call it.

In the woods

While we are still living here in the Bogs, I will continue to take my daily walks, and share them with you when I have time.  I’m on schedule with the packing for now so finding time to post isn’t too difficult.  Finding time to keep up with you all, on the other hand, has not been easy.  I will eventually have to choose between the two.  I will also have to pare down my email, and that means I’ll have to give up email subscriptions to blogs (there aren’t many as I’ve been using other methods to try to keep up with new posts).  In other words, it’s nothing personal.  I just won’t have time (something that already seems to be in short supply).

The fairy tale version of the woods

I thought this area we live in now was rural, but it’s almost urban compared to where we will be living on the Eastern Shore.  I don’t think we’ll have a high speed internet connection out that way (cable is not available), and that may change my blogging habits, too.  Once we’re settled, I’ll be taking daily walks and getting to know our new home, and will hopefully be able to continue to share with you as I discover the beauty of the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Grasses in the woods

Well, this post is getting lengthier than usual, especially in terms of the word count.  I’ll tell you more about the move and my plans in chapter two of this story, if there is any more to tell.  Right now, I think that’s about it.

Thank you for visiting, and joining me on another walk in the Bogs.  It’s a chilly day.  We even had some snow flurries this morning.  The clouds continue to move in and out while the sun plays hide and seek between them.  Spring appears to be on hold at the moment, the flowers all waiting for just the right amount of sun and warmth to expose themselves.

Home is in the background

Have a delightful day, evening, night… wherever and whenever you are on the spectrum of time.  🙂

Let’s reflect