Today I am feeling a bit exhausted. We just finalized the agreements of my father's trust. That's a relief. I mailed the contract this morning at the post office. After that, I spent a lot of time pulling weeds. then took Lula for a gorgeous bike ride early this afternoon. The lilacs are all in bloom. I love the different shades that people have planted: white, a deep purple, lavender, and pink. Their intoxicating fragrance lifts my spirits. I picked some from my garden early this morning, and placed them in a vase of water. I have been carrying them around with me all day. The flowers are so petite and sweet. The older I get, the more I appreciate the fragrance and energy of homegrown flowers from the garden.
I have been reading a book about seniors who live in their RV's. It's very sad. I think that's part of why I felt so drained of energy this afternoon. Their plight makes me cry. It makes me more grateful than ever to have a home, and more determined to keep up with my chores and responsibilities.
Many of the people the author interviewed seem to have a refusal to follow rules and will do anything to avoid paying taxes. I feel like California is one of the most comfortable and beautiful parts of the world, and am happy to pay my taxes. I want to contribute to keeping the roads, bridges, and schools running.
It's sad to hear how many of these people lost their homes and retirement savings. I closed my dance studio during the recession, and my emergency plan was to sell my cottage and move to someplace cheap, like Nebraska. I knew I could buy a small, older home for $20,000. there. To me that would have been far less expensive than driving a gas guzzling RV, and I was always able to find work as a ballet and yoga teacher.
I will try to finish this book tonight; it's a difficult read. It's taught me a lot about squatters and has been eye opening. I have had several people here try to use my forested property as public land. It took some action and firmness to stop them. Reading about this group of people has made me see that many of the drifters will look for opportunities to store their vehicles and those of their friends if you don't watch them closely.
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Stephenie you have such a sensible head. I too have always thought that I could sell my house and move somewhere cheaper if I ever had to. I'm currently scanning the internet for tiny two bedroom bungalows with a large garden. I often think if we could take the top floor off this house I would stay here but it's just too big for me. We don't need the expensive of running a three bedroomed house once Tony retires next year. I will find my dream bungalow soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure you will, Cherie. Having a small home saves so much money! A one story house is nice in old age, too.
DeleteWhat is a RV, please? A something or other van?
ReplyDeleteI agree that to have one's own home, owned outright, is both a privilege and an immeasurable security. We are fortunate.
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RV's are like campers, or homes on wheels, Joy. We have a lot of people in the US that are now living in them, and driving around the country. Gas is very expensive, though.
DeleteGlad you were able to finalize on your father's trust. I think your exhaustion was probably related to getting that taken care of. We seem to run on adrenalin when we have an important job to do and afterwards, when it's all over, that's when the relief and exhaustion sets in. I always thought that people decided to live in RVs after retirement because they wanted to travel and visit places! That's what one of my cousins and her husband did! They sold their house, bought a "camper van" as they called it (they are in Australia) and travelled around the country until the pandemic broke out! Not quite sure if they plan to continue to travel after things ease up. One of my neighbors has two RVs parked in her driveway but people live in them, so, I think they are renting them. I'm not sure, though.
ReplyDeleteThis book talks about that lifestyle, Bless. One of their biggest challenges is finding somewhere to park. I think you are right about the exhaustion. There was a lot of mental and emotional energy involved in researching investments in order to make the right decisions.
DeleteThat is wonderful news that your father's trust is finally settled. It sure does take longer than you can ever imagine, right? I don't understand the RV lifestyle myself. Calm and peace are what I need to be happy.
ReplyDeleteYes, the RV lifestyle sounds very stressful to me, Anita. They don't seem built to live in full time. The cost per night to stay at an RV park is very expensive, not to mention the price of gas. I think many make the decision to move into one when they are feeling desperate. It also seems so cold and dangerous to me.
DeleteOur lilacs are just beginning to open. I go and put my nose right in them to smell them, but it won't be long. Interesting about the folks living in RVs. I have some friends who live in one (large!) but they love to travel and have kids they go visit etc. They are not squatters. And yes, you sure do have to watch out for those.
ReplyDeleteSome of the RVs are really beautiful, Lady Locust. I met a lady who was a traveling nurse. She and her husband traveled and visited their kids, like your friends do. Enjoy your lilacs...
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