change

Posted March 9th, 2006 by Michelle

I’m in New York again, this time for a very brief stay on my way to D.C. for an arts advocacy conference. It’s oddly warm here, and since it’s oddly cold in California, the two places are about exactly the same temperature. It’s good to be here, in a way, because suddenly “here” is no more rich than what I have at home. It’s easier to be away, less stressful, when I’m happy to be away, but also looking forward to going home.

I’ve moved into a new home, a little creekside house that is a four-minute walk from work, and a five-minute walk to the heart of the downtown district. Better yet, “creekside” is a truly apt descriptor. I walk out from my porch and the creek- which during this season is much more like a river- is ten feet from my door.

One of the views of my porch (still without the porch swing and all the potted plants, but they are coming…)

And another view, just to the side of the porch- I realize these pictures aren’t terribly exciting, but it is extraordinary to walk out to see this much nature.

And once I’ve finished bricking the patio out there, and lining it with flowers, and buying a new gas grill, it is going to be even MORE extraordinary.

My new place is twice as big, and unbelievably, twice as sunny, with windows stretching the length of the rooms. I don’t have all of the furniture I need, nor all the art I want, but I love it. At night I fall asleep to the sound of soft, flowing water, or if there is a storm, rushing crazy water. Mornings are filled with birds and squirrels.

Someone else is rather fond of the new place, too.

And handing over the spare key to a certain someone else was the easiest important choice I’ve made in a long time.