B is for beginning life in my new (to me) home. I shot the above photo at the height of the rhododendron season. Bye, bye, Berkeley, the city where I was born and where I lived for most of my life, first as a child, then for the more than sixty years that my husband Otto was a professor of electrical engineering at the University of California.
This little house in Port Townsend, Washington, is now my legal address. It belongs to my son Otto and is right across the street from the house where he and his wife and my dear friend Kristin live. As I become more and more dependent on others because of age, arthritis, etc., they are the angels in my life, taking care of me in a thousand ways and claiming to enjoy it.
All of my children have been wonderfully helpful. Daughter Candace will meet me in Berkeley next week to help me with the disposition of a few of my belongings in the big house on the hill which I still own. The grand piano will be sent to Port Townsend, where it will dominate my small living room. But what is nicer than a house with home-made music?!
I have had a wonderful time redecorating the interior of my new home with sometimes unusual color schemes that I have dreamed of but never tried before. My dragons will move here too, in fact will be the theme of my house which I have named Dragonhaven. There will eventually be a sign out front proclaming it!
Since the photo above was shot, ramps have been built to enable me to encircle the house in my wheelchair or reach the wheelchair-friendly walks of Port Townsend or be loaded in an auto for longer trips. (I'll tell in some future blog of some of memorable trips we have already made.)
This blog is definitely egocentric, not to be confused with the educational, informative, and creative entries of other ABCers. For their entries, click here or on banner.
40 comments:
Wow...what an adjustment to know that the house that you've spent your life in is gone forever in such a manner!
How wonderful too, that your life is filled with angels to help you along the way.
BRAVO to you for your great spirit in a time of BIG changes.
ROG, ABCW team
A very nice blog entry, letting us in on your life!!!
Have a good rest of the week!
Hood Photo Blog
The very best of Good Luck Wishes when you do move into your new home.
What a cozy looking home. I love the Beautiful rhododendrons in the front. I hope you will find new things and happinesses in your new home, close to your family.
Beautiful rhodies and a sweet home for obviously a very sweet lady. Thank you for sharing!
Your new beginning sounds like it will be a good one. I know your son will be glad to have you close. I'm sure it must be difficult to leave Berkeley but your new home sounds like it will work out great. Best of Luck as you begin in a new town. By the way, I think getting your piano in is more important than having more room and I'm glad it will make the move with you.
I love that little bungalow (as we call them). I wish you all the best in happiness and health and hope you have some very happy times there.
The post is a great entry.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Glad you could get your piano in, hope you enjoy making it your home. Love the idea of the sign.
Enjoy your new life. And who cares whether it's egocentric or not? It's a great B!
The artist emerges for all to see! Your spirit is beyond commendable! You are blessed with loving children, a mothers dream really! I hope you share more of this abode. I think everyone will rest easier knowing you are a stones throw away!Here, here, to new adventures, to dragonhaven!I hope the adjustment is joyful, and fills you up! Please share more....I can hardly wait!
Big hugs Giggles
Brava! It takes great courage to step into the unknown and you have courage doubled. Fine thing to be so close to an angelic friend and wonderfully warm children. Be well and keep posting. Port Townsend is lovely!
It must have been with a heart full of memories that you took leave of your previous house, but your new house looks also very nice, and the fact that you live near your son and his family is a good thing. I wish you a happy life in your new home.
How wonderful to be able to live in a cute bungalow with big rhodos outside your windows and family and friend outside your door!
I shall return to read of your adventures discovering your new neighbourhood.
Oh Phyllis, It is so lovely to see you here - what a journey you have travelled and I am so honoured to have been with you throughout! Bless you Phyllis xxxxx We are honoured to have you part of our ABC venture. Dxxxx
What a forward-looking TOUGH blog!!! I love your attitude and I admire your sense of humour, which is still very evident.I know you'll create a gem of a haven and everyone wishes you well.
What a beautiful sight indeed. Wishing you only the best and a wonderful Wednesday as well.
daily athens
A big adjustment for sure, but how lucky you are to have such a great family to take care of you, and yet arrange for you to be as independent as possible! It looks like a lovely place to settle, too!
This is a lovely telling of big changes in your life. Thank you for your bravery in sharing with us. You are blessed to have such a caring family. ~Brenda
I don't find your blog egocentric, I find it filled with wonderful words. Years ago I spent a few days in Port Townsend and found it a delightful community.
It sounds as if your son and his wife are doing everything to help you with the transition. It's hard to leave a place you've called home for so many years, but your new beginnings appear to be surrounded by love.
I do hope that when we arrive at P you'll post a photo of the piano.
Linda
ABC Wednesday team
Hello Granny S, first of all thank you for visiting my humble blog. I do appreciate your time and effort ^_^ It's so nice to see you here and meet each week through this meme. Will appreciate that you let us know what's going on at your end, keep it up and take care!
ABC Wednesdsay~B
I liked your entry.
My mom is facing a move in the near future too. I hate to think of her having to move, but we can not leave her to live alone any longer.
Life is full of changes.
Granny I certainly enjoyed your post, and reading of your new home. My husband and I retired and have moved into a small cottage across from his Aunt. We are now close to our children and grandchildren.
I will be back to browse through you previous posts.
Wanda from Brushstrokes
It takes a brave and open heart to make such big changes at this stage of the game. Best of luck in your new home and community. Sounds like you are surrounded by loving people.
I wish my parents would live in a small house across the street from me. This really is an ideal situation.
I'm glad you are painting your new home the colors you have always wanted too.
Port Townsend is such a lovely and interesting place to live, and when it is peopled by those dear to you I'm sure you will find it extra special.
My SIL recently retired to Port Angeles, - complete with piano. I am so glad for you that you have yours and know you will enjoy filling your new home with music.
What a nice post, that's a long long years back of such history where you born, beautiful photo. It's nice to visit you here for the first time.
Mine is here..
http://daygazers.siromade08.com/2010/07/abc-wednesday-b.html
just look at those beautiful flowery trees! gorgeous!
Good for you. My time is coming up but I definitely won't want to leave So. California. Those azaleas are wonderful. I remember being in Philadelphia years ago in May/June. I had never seen such wonderful azalea bushes!
Best wishes in your new home, my friend. You're in a lovely area and seem excited to begin your new life at Dragonhaven.
xxx
Berkeley is beautiful, but where you live now is gorgeous too! I've spend quite a lot of time in No. Cal and love it...What a wonderful adventure you're on with more to come. Thank you :)
What a BLESSING you must be to your son.
I often wish that my mother was close enough that I could walk across the street any time I felt the urge to hear her voice, or ask her one of the many things mothers always know, like how to tell when pickles are ready, or how to get bubblegum out of a moustache...
I always have to call her instead.
On behalf of the ABC Wednesday Team, thank you for joining us for Round Seven. I am looking forward to seeing your posts each week, as we work our way through the alphabet.
Troy
It's good to hear that you have a wonderful family...wonderful kids. I bet you will love your new home.
Thanks for the comment Granny Smith.
Hope to see you next week.
I use to stop in at your blog when your husband was still here. It's been awhile and I see you are moving. I wish you the best in your new life. Cute house.
lot of big changes to become used to..
the photos are nice :)
Moving from Berkeley is a very big change! Congratulations upon doing it so well, and accepting the help that is offered.
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's Red B-Words
Here's to a wonderful future in your lovely little home.
Port Townsend is a wonderful place. I lived there for ten years or so, and try to get back every year for the Wooden Boat Festival. Since I might not make it this year, you must wheel down and see the boats, join in the sea chanteys, and say hello for us at the Town Tavern and Deli and the Uptown Pub. Say hello to L'il Awful (Laura at the Uptown) and check out their home grown jam sessions.
Ormond and Lynda
Moves are difficult at the best of times. You have such a positive attitude - oh that we all could!
Bravo to a new chapter!
I wish you every happiness in your new home. What a blessing to have loving family and friends so very close by. I salute your optimistic spirit and look forward to reading more of your adventures :-)
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