I Woke Up this Morning



Well, I woke up this morning, I got myself a beer. Well, I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer. The future's uncertain, and the end is always near.   Oh wait, no, no, that’s a Door’s song and this is my bloggy email thinger.  

Here’s a snippet from my future and what I did there yesterday. 

I woke up this morning as the sun was peeking into my window to see if I was really still asleep. I usually wake up before the sun hits my window but yesterday had worn me out so I made myself go back to sleep at dawn as the birds, instead of revelry, sang a soft lullaby. 

I sat up and thanked the universe for everything that had led me to this place and time.  For all the bad relationships, for all the good friendships, shitty jobs, odd jobs, risks and a vague dream of something that I could feel more than see.  I stood up, said good morning to my cozy home and doggie. She has patiently been waiting for her breakfast. I haven’t had a dog since 2005, but now living in the country, often alone, I felt rescuing a ferocious cutie to alert me to creepers or attacking raccoons was a good idea. Of course, the stray kitties who have adopted me just stared in dismay that breakfast was 2 hours late. 

After sitting quietly in contemplation, I did a few sun salutations and then proceeded to drink too much tea, eat some plantains and spinach and make my to do list for the day. Moving the few things I didn’t get to yesterday due to an unexpectedly long hike to find a hidden waterfall with an out of town friend.  Said friend was out on the deck reading having already had breakfast.  

To do:
Schedule the painting workshop
Weed some of the orchard

Pick berries to take to mom 

Water Veggie garden /work on irrigation lines 
Brunch for the liberated animal friends 

Say hi to the bees 

Review applications from the Wwoofers for any that seem like a good match.  

Confirm the dietary needs of the straw bale building workshop with the instructor. 

Email caterer with final headcount and dietary needs. 
Review final list of supplies and tools 

Jump in the river 

Book flight for January/February’s trip. 
Follow up with dates to the couple who is spending their vacation as caretakers while I’m away.

Some days I get everything on the list completed and add to it as I go. Some days I get distracted by the smells of the forest or meadow.  Often catering to every whim of a certain rescue friend.  Or just watching the fawns frolic while asking the blue jays to eat more pesky bugs off my plants and less raspberries.  Thankfully, we have an agreement over the blueberries it seems.  

I was able to buy more acreage than previously expected with a couple decent dwellings already in place which was helpful.  Ample well water and a natural year round spring has been great, especially in the summer months for keeping the gardens happy.  I’m still showering as little as possible, as a hold over habit that I never recovered from after the Covid garage camping days.  But with a swimming hole basically in my backyard that’s not a real issue. At least not in the summer. Haha 

It’s amazing to think I once sat at a desk for a least 8 hours a day and had to get my 2 weeks of vacation approved prior to planning anything.  I’ve never been afraid of hard work, well at least not hard physical work.  And believe me I’m doing plenty of it.  Mental work certainly takes more of an effort but the rewards make it worth while when I’m forced to do it.  I’m in better physical shape at 50+ than I was in my 20’s and I’m sure as hell a lot happier than I ever was then too.  

So when are you coming to visit?!  Yes, I will put you to work, but don’t you worry it’ll be fun, then we’ll have a picnic and go for a swim! 

Back to present day.  For those of you who don’t know, I have put my house on the market. My goal is to buy some acreage in a slightly warmer part of Oregon or Northern California.  I haven’t completely ruled out other locations but Oregon would be ideal at this time.  I have city fatigue and I’ve had it for a while.  I long to hear the sound of only nature and not smell car exhaust first thing in the morning. I want to wake up and wonder what the raccoons have gotten into and not if my car has been stolen.   I’d love to have space for a few animal friends who need a little love and a safe place to live and a large space for a garden and an orchard of some kind.  And bees to pollinate things and for me to keep safe from other places that use chemicals in their garden.  I dream of multiple little dwellings for occasional guests or events, and the option of passive income.  I smell moss and freedom in my future.  

But all of that is dependent on this home selling.  My lifestyle has limited my options for employment and there for a loan really isn’t possible.  So I must sell first.   There are prices to pay for the freedom and extensive travel I’ve experienced, and I wouldn’t change it for a second.   So here’s hoping we can soon frolic in a spring wildflower meadow or hike in a mossy forest together.  

What’s your perfect future day look like? I’d love to know!  

XO, 

Serena