Connecting and letting go

We’ve had some important developments these past two weeks. We finally closed on our house in Durham yesterday. Way too much drama and a tough market for sellers, so we’re glad this is done. We’re also sad, it’s a big tie to Durham that we now let go. We also have some money we didn’t have before, and get to spend a little of it on “discretionary” items and paying off Ann’s student loan.

This happened on the summer solstice. Our friend Kit took us to Pine Ridge reservation to see a great art exhibit there. And we went to a summer solstice party at a house in the country and have met some neat folks. Ann played her cello and we sang songs and sat around a fire. So are feeling much less isolated. Lots of momentous things for one day, eh?

The day before I found out I didn’t get the job at Pine Ridge. I’m disappointed, but also a little relieved. It’s a long drive, and a very challenging environment. And I’m starting to get busier with career coaching clients via my former employer. This is a very good thing, and may allow me to cobble together a few different things that enable a flexible schedule.

We had our first riding lesson last week and learned how to bridle and saddle a horse. Our teacher is very thorough and focused on safety. Both she and a former student who dropped by are real matter-of-fact folks and very much at home as western riders. The former student impressed us as a genuine cowboy and competes in rodeos. He rode a horse that was acting up while we were there – it was great to see such competence and the results of our teacher’s teaching. Next Saturday we’ll probably get to ride, if we remember enough of the first lesson!

I was able to get together with some folks individually last week, simply visiting and getting to know each other. I also attended a meeting of some social service providers. It’s been real helpful in learning about the community, and in further conversations with these and other folks I’m getting input on some ideas for ways to occupy myself and possibly contribute to the community. In brief, this would be getting an online comprehensive community calendar up and running, and initiating a listserv for community providers. Still in the needs analysis stage, so we’ll see.

Newsy post, but what I’ve got for now. It’s the nature of this mode to be a “narrowcast” for folks wanting to know about our transition to NE. I hope it also serves an impetus for y’all to get in touch and keep us up to date, or just chat. Later…