Sunday, April 6, 2014

Long road home

From Sedona to Brier was a four-day drive. We stayed with travel club members Shirley and Tom in Las Vegas, then with travel club members Nancy and Rob in Reno, then with old friend Jeanne in Roseburg. Traffic was light but several hundred miles of the drive was on two line highways - nice wide lanes but with passing necessary. It snowed between Reno and the California interstate. Even alternating driving, Art and I were both tired by the time we got home on Wednesday.

And we are still tired on Sunday. We do a bit of something, putter, and then take a nap. We feel fine - we are not sick - but we still haven't gotten back to our customary energy level. It could be the change of climate - it's in the 50s here in Washington and it has been cloudy for three of the four days we've been home. I notice twinges of arthritis that haven't been around since December. I also feel kind of weighed down, mood wise. Very glad we will be getting out of town next year for most of the gloomy months.

People are glad to see us. "Welcome back," they smile. I smile back. Their faces are familiar and dear. Our Washington life. On Thursday I went to water aerobics at our local recreation center. In the afternoon I visited my neighbor Jennie, and four-month-old Elsa smiled at me with very blue "old soul" eyes. Friday at noon was my customary 12-step meeting; that night Art and I went to vespers at my church - a lovely hourlong meditation. Yesterday I returned to drumming circle. This morning I sat with the congregation and smiled with delight at minister Eric's springtime talk. I have a massage tomorrow afternoon and a mediation on Wednesday morning. I am home.

In my mind are the faces of my Arizona friends and the time we spent this winter in the sun. Most of them are taking their own long roads home by now - returning to Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and elsewhere. 

Five years ago I would never have imagined we'd buy a winter place in Arizona. That was for "old" people who wanted to slow down and play bridge and sit in the sun in their declining years. Now I see it is for people who want to live in a sunny place. We can be as active or as sedentary as we want. I slowed down only from time to time. I didn't play a single hand of bridge. I sat in the sun on four occasions. Even Art's January health scare has resulted in our taking a look at the quality of our lives and making small adjustments in our activities and our attitudes. It's all good.

We have decided to sell one of our timeshares. It's in Whistler, British Columbia - a spring or a fall week each year. A beautiful destination, but no longer for us. We'll sell it for next to nothing and that is fine. Let me know if you'd like to hear more. 

Ahead of me this month? Do the taxes in the next nine days. Get a pedicure to repair my Arizona feet. Take the cat to the groomer. Call for estimates on refinishing our decks. Check on my grandson's grades to find out whether we're going to New York City this summer. For him, I hope so. For me? I'm not ready to leave home again just yet.

12 comments:

Sally Wessely said...

Welcome home. I think you now have the best of both worlds going for you.

#1Nana said...

Welcome back. I hope you readjust quickly. I'm ready to leave home for a bit. I'm just tired of the renovation mess and stress.

Teresa Evangeline said...

After this winter, especially, I am thinking someplace warm in the winter might be awfully nice ... I can easily see why you made the decision you did. Sounds awfully nice. But, so is being "home." May you have the best of both!

Anonymous said...

Sounds that you have enjoyed the trip good! Welcome back!

Arkansas Patti said...

Welcome back and hope your energy returns soon. The beauty of retirement is that we can wait for the energy bursts that travel saps from us.
You have the best of both worlds now. After this winter, being a snow bird sounds appealing.

Perpetua said...

Glad you got back safely after a lovely time away. I'm not surprised you're tired after such a long journey and big climate transition. I know we take much longer to recover from travelling as we get older.

DJan said...

I am traveling right now, sitting in a hotel room in southern California, but I'll be heading home on Wednesday. I really can't wait to return to my regular schedule. I've missed my blogging friends because I'm so busy right now. Glad you are home and sound, and that your energy level will improve. You certainly sound busy to me! :-)

Terra said...

I like how you and your hubby have set up your life, at a nice level of activity and rest, travel and home. It sounds like a good mix.

Friko said...

It looks like you have well and truly taken up home routines again.
Btw, for the life of me I cannot see an old person in the way you live, out and about permanently, travelling, doing, never sitting still long enough to notice that the years have crept up on you.

Stay happy!

Linda Reeder said...

As you began this post you sounded a little let down, but then you told us all the activities you got right back into. Wherever you are, you amaze me. I hope you are enjoying the beauty of our northwest spring. the season of glowing greens is beginning.

Dee said...

Dear Linda, your energy level--despite your needing to slowly reenter your Washington life--just astounds me. Of course, I'm quite a bit older than you, but I can't remember ever having that much energy. Peace.

Bob Lowry said...

What a nice balance of experiences, climate differences, and friends in different locations you and Art have built for yourself.

You are blessed to be able to know what makes you happy and then make it happen.