Portland & Housekeeping

I don't know if I mentioned that I was actually born in Portland.  My mom was born in Seattle and grew up in Portland.  I did the opposite.  But the point is, I am a "native" Portlander!  So, when I tell people I moved up from California a couple years ago, and I sense an under-their-breath groan, "More of those Californians invading Oregon...," I immediately set them straight: "Hey! I'm a native!"

After three years living here, and now getting settled in my new home, I'd say my roots are finally established.  I can honestly say I love Oregon and I feel like I belong here.  I love the green background and the more relaxed lifestyle.  And I like being out in the country.  People ask if I'm ever afraid to be living alone out here--the answer is no.  I have very attentive neighbors, we live on a gated lane, and it's basically a very safe community.  And I've lived alone quite a while now.

Aside... I moved to San Francisco with a girlfriend after college because I'd received a postcard of Lombard Street, "the crookedest street in the world," and decided any city that had a street like that--just for the fun of it--had to be a great city.  Well, what's not to like about a town (Portland) that has Mill Ends Park, "the smallest park in the world." 

It does bother me that I'll never know my way around Portland the way I did San Francisco.  But I think you really have to live in the city/town (which I did in SF) or drive it daily, to get that familiarity.  Fortunately, Portland is smaller than San Francisco, and easier to navigate (and park!).  In the Bay Area we would say we're going into "The City," here we say we're going "Downtown."

Aside... Everyone heard about the Northwest's heat dome and Portland's scorching weather.  When I was growing up in Seattle, it seems like we were likely to get a week or two in the summer in the 80s--and we thought that was hot!  Now it's weeks in the 90s, and they say records like we experienced this year, maybe every 5 to 10 years.  I thought I'd moved back to the moderate Northwest!

I now have a small but solid circle of friends--even good friends--here.  I feel very fortunate to have made new friends at this stage in my life.  In my experience, there are three stages in life that are conducive to forming lasting relationships.  The first is growing up--all those formative years and background in common are bound to make for lifelong friendships.  Then there's college (and/or military service)--communal living at that defining and uncertain age can bond you for life.  And finally raising children--the years of learning to parent, sharing and supporting each other, makes for lasting friendships.  So, moving here with no common denominators, I was worried I wouldn't form more than acquaintances.  But I lucked out.  I found some great people who welcomed me.  And as it ends up, you always have kids in common--now they're just grown up kids!  

Aside... Here's a sample of the messages that come across Pete's Mountain Neighborhood Watch: "We've had a report of a friendly, LARGE female piggy making the rounds in the hood.  If you've lost yours, call..."

So now to get on with everyday living.  I was able to indulge my passion and fulfill my dream with this house.  That was my sole objective for almost five years.  So now it's time to look ahead and set new goals.  For me, a balanced lifestyle is about two-thirds enjoying my home, my garden, my hobbies and projects--alone with my pets--and the rest is socializing and travel.  

• I've never had any problem keeping myself busy and engaged.  I still have plenty of details to attend to on the house and garden, and projects I've put off for the last few years.  
• I love entertaining, and I'm very happy I can now reciprocate with get-togethers at my house.  And I've recently joined a couple local groups to meet more people and broaden my activities and community involvement.  
• I have quite a list of places I still want to visit and revisit.  And I recognize there are a finite number of years left where I'll feel comfortable traveling alone (overseas, at least).  And since we all lost over a year of travel time with Covid, I need to get going.   
• As far as new goals, I can always start planning the next house!

Housekeeping:  I've received notice that feedburner (the add-on service that allows you to subscribe and sends new blog content via email) will no longer be providing this service.  Which means those of you who currently follow my blog will no longer automatically receive it in your inbox--unless you re-subscribe.  I've enlisted another service (follow.it) and if you decide you still want to read my ramblings and see more of my house and garden, the new box to enter your email address is in the same place on my home page https://billiesfolly.blogspot.com and it looks like this.