Here we go:
Where am I living? Well, I am still a woman of many beds. Hmmmm, that sounds interesting, not so much. Thanks to the generosity of my sons, I am still their house guest. I am pretty sure I have found a place and will be taking up residence in Vancouver, Washington(just across the bridge) beginning of November. Travis rents a house with Anne on ten acres in a wonderful place called Sauvie Island. It is about 20 miles or so from Portland (about $7 in gas I might ad) The view is amazing, it is where the Columbia and Willamette rivers meet. When I look directly ahead I can see the Columbia coming towards us and the Willamette runs in front of his place. There is a great little beach and as I am sure you have noticed from previous blogs, I get to watch boats all day long if I want, it still amazes me. Sunday it was a ship carrying about 6,000 Toyotas and one with Subarus, Toyotas go into Portland, Subarus to Vancouver. I am somewhat of a ship-o-holic. I can't get enough.
He has 25 or so chickens and I have come to really enjoy them. The island is a tourist and great biking destination for Portlanders, there are several pumpkin patches and about three corn mazes, lavender fields, all kinds of produce available and a huge wildlife preserve, mainly birds. I would love to live there, but it is a little out of my price range.
This is my main residence, I have a room there, which includes my 2'x4' livingroom, I have a TV and my wingback chair between the bed and the wall. It is amazing what you can do when necessary. Trav suggested I enjoy it there while the weather is still nice. Several nights a week Jarred and Elizabeth kindly share their abode in Portland with me. We still all seem to be managing it okay although I am ready for my own place. Jarred had some time off so we went out to the coast and have had a lot of fun together. Elizabeth has an gallery opening next week and I will be able to attend. This is the joy of the whole move, it has been somewhat traumatic leaving my life and friends in Des Moines, and I have moments, but the ability to see my family whenever I want is a blessing I never tire of.
Rent here is unbelievable, it continually shocks us all. Thus the decision to look in Vancouver. Prices there are a little more reasonable. It is about 9 miles from downtown Portland. The good thing is no state income tax. Portland has no sales tax, so perhaps I will have the best of both worlds. I have found a house, it is tiny but just what I am looking for. They even take care of the yard. I will have to condense a little more but after living a simpler life, that is more appealing.
The days of nothingness have long passed. I am busy all the time. I try to help out as much as I can at each house. I have become quite a cook. After 20 years of feeding one, I now find myself cooking meals for a very appreciative group. Anne and I have done some caning and I have even baked a pie from scratch. I have enjoyed getting to know Anne and think we have become good friends. She recently moved here from San Francisco so we have a few things in common.
Several days a week I go in and work at Travis' shop. He has very large business, Atomic Auto. There is always lots for me to do, be it drive a customer somewhere or deliver a transmission to Salem, a pleasant drive. I think the guys are all used to having Momma Travis around. He has also given me a office there to do my art. At first I was not sure how this would work out but it has been great. I work a few hours for him then go back into my little place. I hope to build a large amount of inventory, then re-energize my website. I have applied for a big show in December and will know next week. I also have been working on an Etsy site and will have some things listed in the next day or so.
Life is busy and as you all know, that seems to be how I function best. I have been reading a lot, am addicted to public radio as I have much more time to listen when I commute.
I am getting used to urban living and the trials and tribulations that come with that, traffic, finding things like banks, P.Os etc. you forget how easy it is to get around Des Moines. I am getting more comfortable each day that passes and see the advantages of this wonderful area and this great city.
A huge part of my heart is still in Des Moines, I have had a few sad times, but will never question the decision to move here. It will just take some time for me to get into my own rhythm of my life again.
Thanks to all of you for your emails, Facebook comments and for traveling along with me on this journey. I promise to do better at keeping things updated.
Off to work I go, I am in Portland as I write this, hopefully tonight I will add pictures and will share with you my new life.
