Sad and Sappy Goodbye (and tons of pictures)

Here is the scene of the last load to be taken out.

 Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.  (That is a funny word-picture, but again, I digress.)  The last week we have been sitting in our lawn chairs as we slowly and methodically pack our belongings into the trailers.

 We have thankfully sold our bed, so we splurged and bought some firm foam to add to our soft foam pads to form our bed for here and for the road.  No, Mom, I still don't make my bed.  Never will.  Time to give up.

 Our closets have long been empty with only the worst hangers left to the new occupants.  Nice, I know, but isn't a bad hanger better than none at all?

 Pat has been so awesome getting Dad's bunk ready in the trailer.  He's a little desirous of trying it out himself.  I told him that would likely be possible.  In anticipation of the much warmer weather, we have installed more vents and a battery-powered fan.  Hopefully the nights won't be too hot!

Pat, like most of the male gender, has the desire to express himself in visual ways.  Note the skull and cross-torches that now stand guard over our spare tire.  Beware, indeed.

The garage looks so barren without all it's intended tools.  This was a shop built just for Pat, and it will cease to fully fulfill its purpose from this day forward.  A sad day, truly.  It was an invaluable blessing for us as we (as in Pat) secured our belongings, not only in the large trailer, but securely in the small trailer as well.

As we played with various configurations of totes in the back of the truck, I took some time to walk around and say goodbye to all my babies.  Yes, I'm attached.  I've spent so much time nurturing them and watching them grow to their full potential.  These were investments that I never regret or outgrow.

Oh how I will miss the fragrant walk beside the petunias and the views across our expanse of green to the lake.

My greenhouse brought me so much joy and warmth!  I hope the new owners appreciate Pat's work half as much as I did.

Rowdy discovered the healthy deliciousness of squash leaves and blossoms.  The cherry tomatoes were just beginning to ripen, so I know we will both miss those!

Truly the most beautiful place I have ever, and likely will ever have, lived.  It was so much more than we needed, gave us a place to grow and mature (OK, not really), and we will miss it.

I never thought living on water would be so beautiful.  Even this lily-pad infested bog of a pond was incredible.  The life it contained was both visually and audibly mesmerizing.

I feel like I understand why God placed Adam and Eve in a Garden.  There is so much richness and diversity, seasonal growth and decay, constant care and attention given to one.

So now I move on to say goodbye to the home we possessed for a time.  What a gift it was.

It seemed even Rowdy knew the changes were indicative of goodbye.  We will miss this view from our picture window, but instead of dwelling on the sadness of leaving we reflect on the amazing opportunity that we were able to enjoy it at all.

Passing Time

 Pat has been working very diligently to finish up projects while we still have his shop.  The trailer is almost ready to go, so we have "Christened" it!  

 Pat has been working hard, and I...well, I'm trying.  I have to admit, with so much time before we actually have to move, it is difficult for me to use my time efficiently.  I pack a little bit, walk around my gardens, read every online news outlet, try to remember what it was I was supposed to be doing...  I have realized that when my environment is in disarray, my mind follows.  It is so much more work to focus on any one task.  It reminds me of when I used to have to go "clean my room" as a child.  Inevitably, I would become distracted by the stuff I was supposed to be cleaning and hours would pass with no progress.

 I note the passage of time with the progress of my flowers.  It is finally becoming a flowering paradise in my gardens.  The iris and columbine are in their full glory, covered in blooms.

 I have a trollius (globe flower) that is just about to burst with blooms!  There are many more scattered about that will give a nice repetition throughout.  My hanging lobelia are spilling over the basket edges with their splashes of blue and white.

 I also have my first squash that has been pollinated (by yours truly), and is growing by the hour!  Rowdy has discovered the flavor of the squash flowers are to his liking, and so he is my disposal method after I have used the pollen inside!

 I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to watch my beds fill in and fill up with color.  This home has been such a blessing.

 Bleeding hearts have spread their arms out, dripping with their blossoms.  Did I mention that the columbine is showing off?  I have a half dozen different colors and shades that grow like they are on steroids.  Love them!

 Even my potted flowers are all about the fashion show.  My daisies (chrysanthemums, really) make me happy every time I walk past, even though they drink up every bit of water I can give them and ask for more.  My violas are perfect whiskered babies that consistently pop their little faces out.  I love the water-colored effects they show.

 My ultimate test of patience has been waiting for my salad bowl to grow up enough for me to partake of its richness!  I have red-leaf lettuce, kale, curly parsley, onions, spinach, nasturtium, and for color, a purple viola!  Everything in it is edible, healthy, and delicious!  I've had a couple salad's with my salad bowl produce, but now I have to wait for more to grow.  I have a pot full of spinach plants, but every time I walk past it, I pick a few of those delicious baby leaves off!  Not sure it will  stay with the house...I may have to keep it for munchies!