As I sit with my coffee in my favorite spot watching my bird feeder through the open door this offering was a lovely reminder of how lucky I am. Since my retirement a few years ago and a relocation after a relationship adjustment I have time and emotional space to become truly present in my home. Your writing often seems to arrive at just the place I need to articulate. Thank you.
This is the most beautiful article .Now I have to reach out to my friend in Chile for her to send me the 3 legged pig 😊. I absolutely loved this article . Thank you
We live in a 1969 ranch style home in an urban area. During a bathroom remodel, we moved out for 6 weeks into 2 different Airbnbs. Nicknamed them “new house” (a new build with great space, but too many stairs), and “red house” - a red brick home with features from the 50s. Exploring these with a toddler- play hide n seek, what’s the best countertop for her to play, long hallways to race cars, etc. Our house was “sick” (asbestos removal and mold) so it got better and we came home. Her joy in our home is contagious. Made me thankful for the weird kitchen layout, lots of pocket doors.
Kelton, I love this so very much. I’m starting this right now! Please remind me in another post like a month from now just to make sure I’m still doing it!
This was such a beautiful article. I loved all of it and especially "Not everything needs outsourcing, some things just need noticing".
I've lived in our current house for 18 years, and yet for some strange reason I've always thought of as a temporary place, even though it's the longest I've ever lived anywhere. You've really inspired me to befriend this house that has been such a good home to us 🧡
Nice thoughts. I talk to myself a lot, and sometimes to a bedroom as I leave it, or a downstairs area that likes to collect dust as I try to remember to go down there and take on the battle. I like to bring things inside that are natural outside, like a flower from a nearby plant or tree. I need nature.
Sadly, I even started to say "Good Night" to Alexia. Seriously, I never even use that thing. It's in the kitchen and feels like it somehow invades my privacy. My daughter wanted me to have it. "Did I say that in front of Alexia? Who is with her?" I'm becoming paranoid, I guess. But, mostly, it's sad. Is it better to go to the Pub, or visit Alexia? Of course, go to the Pub, and I don't even have to drive, it's within walking distance....and that's sad, too, yeah?
Tanner moving in with me really helped me think about the house as a creature we care for, with little shrines of freaky miniatures here and there; the rugs feel like creatures that let us lounge; the porch is an outside temple to cacti and weed smoking. “House as creature friend” really helped me settle in in a way I hadn’t before!
This piece resonated with me strongly this morning. My word for the year is space and I have been thinking a lot about the house I live in. Thank you for writing this and providing a spring board for me to write my personal version inspired by yours. Happy Sunday indeed!
I love this essay. I am a homebody for the most part and feeling cozy in my own space is huge for me. I still remember the grief I felt when we left our first home in Utah (cute little bungalow, our girls came home from the hospital there, so many memories)-- it was like I'd left a dear friend without saying a proper goodbye. I haven't felt quite as attached to subsequent homes, but I do think about the idea of caretaking our home a lot. Once a year, I wash all the windows (inside and out), do the screens, spray down the sides of the house and although it is a JOB, it feels like something nice I do for our home every year.
As I sit with my coffee in my favorite spot watching my bird feeder through the open door this offering was a lovely reminder of how lucky I am. Since my retirement a few years ago and a relocation after a relationship adjustment I have time and emotional space to become truly present in my home. Your writing often seems to arrive at just the place I need to articulate. Thank you.
Love hearing this.
This is the most beautiful article .Now I have to reach out to my friend in Chile for her to send me the 3 legged pig 😊. I absolutely loved this article . Thank you
Love that little pig.
I love this article. It voiced something that I've felt about my home for quite a while, but did not have words for. Thank you!
Oh I’m so glad!
Lovely, Kelton!
Oh thank you!
We live in a 1969 ranch style home in an urban area. During a bathroom remodel, we moved out for 6 weeks into 2 different Airbnbs. Nicknamed them “new house” (a new build with great space, but too many stairs), and “red house” - a red brick home with features from the 50s. Exploring these with a toddler- play hide n seek, what’s the best countertop for her to play, long hallways to race cars, etc. Our house was “sick” (asbestos removal and mold) so it got better and we came home. Her joy in our home is contagious. Made me thankful for the weird kitchen layout, lots of pocket doors.
Awww the sick house!! So sweet.
Kelton, I love this so very much. I’m starting this right now! Please remind me in another post like a month from now just to make sure I’m still doing it!
Ha, I will try!
Such a beautiful piece! Thank you for your words, Kelton.
Thank you for reading!
This was such a beautiful article. I loved all of it and especially "Not everything needs outsourcing, some things just need noticing".
I've lived in our current house for 18 years, and yet for some strange reason I've always thought of as a temporary place, even though it's the longest I've ever lived anywhere. You've really inspired me to befriend this house that has been such a good home to us 🧡
18 years! It's off to college 😂
Nice thoughts. I talk to myself a lot, and sometimes to a bedroom as I leave it, or a downstairs area that likes to collect dust as I try to remember to go down there and take on the battle. I like to bring things inside that are natural outside, like a flower from a nearby plant or tree. I need nature.
Sadly, I even started to say "Good Night" to Alexia. Seriously, I never even use that thing. It's in the kitchen and feels like it somehow invades my privacy. My daughter wanted me to have it. "Did I say that in front of Alexia? Who is with her?" I'm becoming paranoid, I guess. But, mostly, it's sad. Is it better to go to the Pub, or visit Alexia? Of course, go to the Pub, and I don't even have to drive, it's within walking distance....and that's sad, too, yeah?
Tanner moving in with me really helped me think about the house as a creature we care for, with little shrines of freaky miniatures here and there; the rugs feel like creatures that let us lounge; the porch is an outside temple to cacti and weed smoking. “House as creature friend” really helped me settle in in a way I hadn’t before!
And you're great with creatures.
This piece resonated with me strongly this morning. My word for the year is space and I have been thinking a lot about the house I live in. Thank you for writing this and providing a spring board for me to write my personal version inspired by yours. Happy Sunday indeed!
oooh, space is such a good word of the year.
I love this essay. I am a homebody for the most part and feeling cozy in my own space is huge for me. I still remember the grief I felt when we left our first home in Utah (cute little bungalow, our girls came home from the hospital there, so many memories)-- it was like I'd left a dear friend without saying a proper goodbye. I haven't felt quite as attached to subsequent homes, but I do think about the idea of caretaking our home a lot. Once a year, I wash all the windows (inside and out), do the screens, spray down the sides of the house and although it is a JOB, it feels like something nice I do for our home every year.