My first two paragraphs here originally was a snarky rant. It has been taken down and I feel better now. I saved it to read to myself when I get agitated all over again. You don’t need to hear all that it took to get most of our belongings from Floyd to Columbia in 15 days.
I do want to continue my perspective on “agile aging and the challenges of health and housing” from time to time, particularly this issue in rural locations with small populations. I imagine we will hear stories similar to ours as we get to know our neighbors.
But for now, I’ll just post some pictures and give more detail soon.
The first two photos above are from Hinkson Creek near Capen Park not 300 yards from the Hampton Inn where we were impatiently but comfortably housed (at our expense) for ten days and nights while the moving company waited for the spirit to actually move.
This trail system south of the MU campus contributes to the 70 miles of walking and biking paths in Boone County. The “cobble” in the creek beds is from limestone formations and it is fossiliferous. Many rocks have signs of crinoids or other worm tubes in ancient mud turned to rock. The collecting has begun!
I have a lot to learn about the ground under my feet.
One of the first things that gave me comfort in our early walks on the MKT trail was to see “old friends” in the familiar plants from four decades in the fields and forests of Virginia.
But I was certain there were many I would never see again.
Wednesday morning a Google Photos “memories from this day x years ago” popped up. From 2016 was Great Lobelia that grew along the branch that ran under the bridge beside the old home place on Goose Creek. I guess that’s one I will never see again, I whined.
Later that morning, I found my old friend in the 30-acre woods on campus. I can’t tell you how this unexpected reunion boosted my spirits!
Also on the trails on campus here there grows an oak tree of notable proportions, and it stands as arthritic and gnarly as many of our fellow residents. It is magnificent. And yesterday as we wandered the vast passages under roof in 11 connected buildings admiring the local artwork, there appears this oak in water color. Wonderful!
The food here is very good. Coffee and soft drinks and fruit juice is available and free from 7a to 7p. The Grille staff already remember our (rather distinctive) last name. We have not yet eaten at Lavinias (dinner only and you better make a reservation a day ahead.)
Yesterday we made our first grocery run to the largest, most bewildering acres of aisles under roof I have ever experienced in my sheltered life. I don’t need twenty kinds of cheddar cheese and as many kinds of saltines. Gone are the days of easy-in easy-out Slaughters Grocery in Floyd where if they don’t have it, you probably didn’t need it that bad anyway.
The residents here are friendly enough, but no hints of friends just yet. I did go to a writers group meeting last Sunday, and when United replaces all my computer gear I will get my workflow back. (The iMac was delivered, just nothing else.)
The Wellness Center is better equipped than I had realized. Monday I have a morning appointment with the trainer in the gym. Bring it on!
– Fred First is an author, naturalist, photographer watching Nature under siege since the first Earth Day. Cautiously hopeful. Writing to think it through. Thanks for joining me. Subscribe to My Substack HERE