I always enjoy my quiet weekend mornings by myself. I get up earlier than Ken and have some time to drink my coffee and read my book and listen to the sounds of the world around me waking up. There's a rooster near here who likes to perform before the sun rises. Sometimes I hear the horses snuffling. They know Dave will be out to feed them shortly. If I look out the window I'll most likely see them and the goats all "aimed" at the back door of the landlord's house, waiting for him to come outside.
This morning someone's dog (across the street) was unhappy about being outside. They must have let him in because he's finally shut up.
There is a rhythm to it all and I like it.
It feels weird to think that in a couple of weeks this will be history for us.
Yesterday we spent the afternoon cleaning at our new place. We've found a house and signed a lease. If this relationship works well we'll be there for several years. We've been having some fun pondering possibilities of what we'll do with a yard and all the space we'll have.
Ken has lived in this cozy little apartment for the past 8 years. He moved here during a rough spot in his life. He was in the process of getting a divorce after almost 20 years of marriage. He'd also been recently laid off and was trying to find a job and survive on unemployment benefits. This little apartment and our good landlords gave him a comfortable place to live, were understanding when rent was late because he had no money, shared their garden with him, invited him to holiday dinners when he was alone and became trusted and valued friends.
We've loved and lost some animals during our time here. Old Smokey, the kick ass barn cat. Kind of a legendary dude. He took on raccoons one night and won, tho he lost a fang. He was the king of this small farm and carried himself accordingly. He was one of those animals that made you feel a little bit extra cool if he decided to love you. He loved Ken. He even liked me! If Ken drove up, Smokey would come trotting up for his scratches and loves. It was a sad day when he passed.
Ken's kitty, Baby, passed also during his time here and is buried out back with Smokey. As did Kramer, just since I've lived here. Kramer always thought she was a wild kitty and when she'd get out she'd hang out with Smokey.
We met the colt, Brigham, the day after he was born and have enjoyed watching him grow. He was full of piss and vinegar and pretty funny to watch.
It's nice to look out your back window and see horses. As a kid I would have died and gone to heaven to live in a place like this! Now that I've developed allergies I'm more removed but I still appreciate all of this. I've enjoyed that I can buy a bag of carrots and spend some time out in the company of horses. It's good for the soul. Plus it's fun to give them treats!
We've watched the goats grow up from adorable little baby goats to funny goofballs who nap on their food and fake fight all the time. You have to see it to appreciate how they "fight"! It's ridiculous!
Dave (landlord) is a lover of all critters and even took in a baby raven. It was a fun summer as that bird grew and finally decided to fly off to it's own adventures.
By the end of this month we'll be in our new digs and will close another chapter on the past and start something new. It's a good thing but it's also sad.
Since I moved here about a year and a half ago, most of my belongs have been in climate controlled storage for lack of space in the apartment. In a way it doesn't feel like I'm completely "here". I'm looking forward to having my things around me again! My artwork on the walls, my kitchen wares. All of my clothes in one place!
At the same time, everything I do right now has a tinge of goodbye to it. I went thru this when I left MN. That was far more dramatic than this move will be...I doubt I will cry my eyes out when I drive away this time like I did that time! But I have to give this place its due.
Ken had a safe, comfortable place to live. His kids have lived here too. Islie spent her early years under this roof while her mom went to beauty school and became able to support them both. Ken's kids have squeezed in here with him and enjoyed it!
I've been visiting this apartment for years also and have finally made it my home. I'm not as attached as Ken but I totally understand what he means when he says "he's put down roots". While he's excited about the move and having a yard and space and making the house into a home, he's also grieving this place.
So, little apartment, thank you. Thank you for being a home when it was much needed.
We will always remember our time here fondly.
