I’ve barely taken any photos. It’s because everywhere I go, I’m so astonished that I don’t think to pull out my phone. That about sums it all up really. But here are a few random details about what it’s like to live here.
• First everyone is so nice. So much nicer than in Colorado. People talk to each other in public. I think it’s because there’s a different mindset. Not pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps, every-man-for-himself, but instead, We’re All In This Together. Maybe it’s like this in lots of big cities? Gosh, I’m so glad to be done with rural living.
• The dogs are adjusting to not living on an acre. We walk around the neighborhood a lot. We found an unofficial dog park where people take turns using a fenced in lot to throw the ball for their dogs. I love walking during a foggy morning.
• We discovered our local neighborhood association which runs a senior center, preschool co-op, lots of community events, a business association and a tool lending library. Is this what it’s like to live in a place that loves its people?
• At any time we can zip down to Fishermans Terminal and buy 1.5lbs of clams for $11, bring them home, sauté up some fennel and onions from the farmers market, add in wine and butter and it’s magic.
• We’ve met more neighbors in the last 4 weeks than we ever did at our house in GJ. I’d say that’s because we’re more open to meeting people (we are), but every one of these neighbors has made it a point to come to us.
• Our property may only be 5600 sq ft, but I’ve already canned so many jars of grape jam. There are pounds and pounds of quince waiting for me to discover what to do with them. My little fall garden of parsley, lettuce, Swiss chard and cilantro is doing great.
• This might seem silly, but I’m so thankful to be recycling and composting EVERYTHING. We have a 32 gallon trash can instead of two 96 gallon cans. That’s because we can literally compost every single organic item and the city will take almost anything to recycle.
• I’m embracing Halloween decor. I’ve never been big on decorating for the holiday, but we hear the neighborhood is big on it, and we’re getting into it. (Josh is so glad I’ve finally given in.) Don’t you worry, I’m doing things my own Botanical Witch way.
• We’ve been really focused on getting the house set up. We haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s it’s like to live here. I can’t wait to find out more.
Overall I could cry with gratitude. Every time I’m out driving and I look up to see the big hills rise ahead of me with red and yellow and orange and green lined streets, trees soaring higher than I can imagine, I can’t believe we live here. Every time we’re down at the water, I can’t believe this is our life. Every time we can walk to a restaurant or to get a drink or hop on a bus to go somewhere new, I am overcome with gratitude. Here’s the thing that runs constantly through my mind: If you don’t love where you live, move heaven and earth to change it. I’m so glad we did.
