"Do not go where the path may lead- Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Emerson

So, before I get going on my dreams, probably ought to move on.....I've lived for the last, almost, two years in my grandmother's home. In July of '07 I moved in with her to care for her at the end of her life. Talk about an amazing experience and I will as this blog grows. Lots of lessons learned from that experience, in fact I'd have to say it was the 'obvious' catalyst for the growing pains I've been experiencing. As for moving out of her house, it is sad for me to leave, but, a necessary step in the journey. Fortunately, we were able to keep it in the family and I will get to visit. The energy here in the old ranch is, well, old. I love the memories, the landscape, the neighbors, and the possibilities it holds, however, it is far too much for me to handle on my own, so, time to move on. I will be moving to a new home with just as many possibiblities and am planning big things. The landlord and I are great friends and we've decided we'll build a huge garden in the back yard. I love to grow a garden. I have a garden journal that I have kept over the years and I find myself consulting and adding to it every new year. I even have photos from my previous gardens. Tomatoes and Lemon Cucumbers are my favorite and fortunately they are easy to grow. I always grow zucchini squash, aslo easy to grow, HUGE, if you let them get away from you. But, this year, the possibilities are endless, because I'll have some back up and a much larger space to grow in. Rick, the landlord, owns some heavy equipment, so, rototilling will look like skating......quick, slick and fast! I'm going to grow LOTS more veggies. onions, peppers, pumpkins, melons, sunflowers, of course tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini and flowers, many, many flowers. OH, and herbs.....basil, oregano, dill, mustard, rosemary, lavendar, echinacea, chamomile, lemon balm, spearmint and sage! Wow, it sounds pretty amazing when you write it all down! So, the move represents growth for me, more growth. It will be a new place for a new beginning. Moving is always traumatic, even if it is something you want or need, packing your whole life up in boxes and in most cases trusting that 'stuff' to other people to transport, can be a 'moving' experience.....ha ha......But, I am starting to look forward. As I lovingly box up my prized possessions and ponder their relevance in my life I am forced to look at why they are relevant. What has been happening while I've been packing is that I have also been purging, which, is also part of a new beginning, shedding the old to make room for the new. I am empowered by my new view, the feeling that shedding is a good thing, not a betrayal of the past. I see my 'prized possessions' with clearer sight, what possessed me to buy this? Does it serve a purpose, besides accumulating dust? Can it be used or loved by someone else? Does it's sentimental value outweigh my need to purge? Can I justify holding onto it for one more move? And the kicker, why do I STILL have this silly thing? I have a growing pile of prized possessions heading for the Good Will, I hope that my loves will find good homes. Well, I better quit procrastinating and start the day's packing.......stay tuned.