SHOW ME THE…

BRAE TOFTS

One dollar. Every three years. For the past 25 years. I’ve been paid one dollar, every three years for the past 25 years to move house. I’ve packed my pets and belongings and moved house. To a new house. Different part of the city, same state. Different neighbourhood.

It didn’t take me long this time (this last time I swear but then I swear the first of every three years) to settle in: unpacked and boxes recycled; pets comfy; pictures on the walls; lawn mowed; flower beds weeded and new plants safely in the ground; new-to-me-neighbours met; bread baked and given away; books read and then exchanged. Like I said, this time (this last time I swear) it didn’t take long to settle in.

One dollar. Every. Three. Years. Twenty-five years. A long time.

Who does that? Have done, and just did. I suppose the bigger question would be not who does that?…but why do that? My Reader says it’s for the money, and I’m saying it is definitely not for the money.

If one (too obviously me) is taking in the long and the short, the scheme of things and looking at the whole picture which I have had twenty-five years of experience experiencing…it is definitely not for the money.

And so? The answer not to the who but to the why?

It matters not. Not in the long or the short.

I’ve mostly seen the whole bigger picture from all sides, top to bottom, and there is no scheme other than finding…home.

Pen my name and address in ink.

You can also put that dollar back in your pocket.

 

34 thoughts on “SHOW ME THE…”

  1. Pingback: Starting Over – Again **Friday Fictioneers** | A Dalectable Life

  2. I just realised that I never got past the “like” part of this post. And now I read the comments of all your fabulous readers (all such wonderful writers to boot) and feel ill-equipped to even comment on this.
    That said, I will anyway… 😉
    Why focus on the why? It is what you do. Every three years, you need new. Are inspired by change. Maybe this means we will all be lucky and get more than a once-in-a-blue-moon post from you!!!
    As long as I am still invited… though September is over this week… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, Missy D. “Bout time you dropped in, she said with a smile and a wink! It’s not EVERY three years,,,but close. Can’t put my finger on the why [exactly]…you know full well there are other things involved and complications, and then there is that unspoken “because” thing. Did we settle on September? Or didn’t I just tell you my front door (newly painted) is always open…..?
      Still open. Just waiting for what? First rainfall? Well, Missy….it’s here with a vengeance. If our winter here is anything like it was last year….I’m coming to you! You’ve been warned!

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      1. Ya know what? I care not regarding the weather. ‘Tis all about the company! We really should Skype. Soon!
        And I have zero problems with you coming to play in my snow rather than in your rain! xoxo

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Just got off the “Skype” with UK friends Rosie and Keith. We are planning a trip to Northumberland next year. Have our cottage let and everything. So excited!! Let’s you and I put something on the calendar for face/face Skype time. Been way too long! You have time off? After work? Before work? Tell me when. XOR

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  3. Greetings my friend. A bit late as I was away last week. A perfect image for watercolors … calming … Interesting words to accompany. I like the way you framed “why” and how Otto used “what”. …. Besides, your intriguing wit knows how to activate the tumblers in the mind.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. OLA! aFa!! I read you [again] with much anticipation and enjoyment. Was thinking this morning your SHINE must have taken hours to research. So interesting,….again,…excellent!!! Several interesting comments….along with mind numbing questions and varied answers. We have a rare group of readers in our circle of friends…..no question about that! Still on for coffee? See you on your balcony for a chat…..hope all is well with family. You and Mrs RA are in my thoughts as you navigate….aging. xRRR

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the high expectations, but actually the research of the murals here is easy … but I like the fact that you think it takes hours. 🙂 …. the time consuming part is travelling to get the images!

        Meanwhile, all is well here, and looking forward to the future chat. 🙂

        Oh … did you see this tango in week 1 DWTS? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdopUZlNlbo

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  4. Well as long you don’t keep moving in circles, back to the house you started. That would suggest mental defect.

    YOur an artist. You don’t have to act rationally. It’s right there in the painting. No address change necessary there amidst the colour wash.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You, like me, Calvin….must be very busy doing the things we do since I don’t see much of you anymore. I do enjoy hearing from you even if it is a comment or two about this latest post. Thank you for the “You are an artist”……I may reach that title one day…and thank you always for your kindness…and support. When are you going to post? R.

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      1. Some day is behind you.

        answerR…………probably neveR, think I’ll will just throw anonymous crap (or metonym of choice) on some digital wall to see if it sticks or not. R, tell me, is there anything wrong with selfishly drowning in the ocean of one’s life.

        Last week I bought a home on the opposite ocean from you, in Nova Scotia. A quaint mellow yellow home, that faces a mountain and has the ocean out it’s backdoor. The kind place R might paint, as it fits into the surroundings like it belongs. I’ll move some day in years to come.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Oh, C….quaint and mellow yellow to boot. Sounds perfect! Why wait to move in years to come? she asks. Now is mot a good time? Might change your view of the view…….and…selfish drowning never works. Believe me, it never does.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. answer to why wait – well, I am still shackled to what resembles a career.

            answer to selfishness – I remember life before internet seduced me, those times are hauntingly attractive again the older I get

            Liked by 1 person

        2. ergo…… on selfishness revisited and changing addresses

          The selfishness of drowning in ones life is more of a leap of faith, to do what is best for oneself. There is a song by Neil Young, a somewhat forgotten song, but probably his best in my mind. It is a song titled ‘Thrasher’ from the album ‘Rust Never Sleeps’. Sometimes you have to move on and leave what was behind……just a thought, R. Let’s face it, we humans have more emotional and psychological addresses that make us who we are, than one can shake a crooked finger at.

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  5. That opening paragraph is like stepping into a Gabriel Garcia Marquez story! I’m intrigued, especially when ‘this year’s move’ is exhausting me.

    Moves are good for inspiring new art; new energy; new triggers for inspiration. Your new location must be a healthy one, esp for inspiring lovely prose and art!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sista….will look up your reference to Gabriel G. Marquez. I think you may have just paid me a complimemt. Thank you in any event… Yes, moving is exhausting. I can’t begin to imagine what your move is like….seven hours in a different direction to move house is way more than the hour plus I travelled. It is, however, a different world….less “white noise” and like you, finding roots once again in topography that is so familiar to me. It is good. All good. I am hopeful you are finding your new home as another adventure and a continuing part of this journey we are all on. Be safe, Lisa.

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      1. I forgot to mention/ask about a certain piano that cannot be that easy to move from place to place!
        as for the Garcia reference, yes, much like a story in 100 years of Solitude or Love in the Time of Cholera.. I cherish his unique narratives and amazing stories of fiction!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. There is a space in my new home that fits {perfectly} with the shape of my piano. Of course, it goes without mincing words….pianos of any size or shape are bugger-all to move! My studio is in the kitchen nook where a breakfast table should go….with three windows that look out onto fields of green! Perfect! How are you coming along with finding a permanent space? Be safe. XOR

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          1. That is so great that you have a convenient place to work, and that your piano had an almost tailor-made space! Oh my, fields of green out three windows – sounds like a very positive working environment…

            This is the first time in a very long time that I’ve rented a home, and I told the owner recently that it felt a bit like being a kept woman! I don’t have to worry about watering the plants or keeping the grass cut or trimming limbs – and when the tank of gas went empty, they replaced it pronto and refused reimbursement! ok, it costs less than five dollars to exchange the empty for full, but still, it’s a nice bonus. All works well except that the living space is almost too nice for when I am in serious work mode on large paintings… If all continues to work well, then perhaps I will build a studio/bird-watching platform in easy reach of the house. The owner is happy for me to be there, and he said that we could build something if needed. 400 per month, in case you’re curious – a bit high but it fits my needs so well.

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  6. What does it take for you to finding home? Might that be a question. I am used to be on the move, but this sounds wild….However I like the ““The mystery of because”, too. And your little settlement among the hills in watercolour is gorgeous,

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You are right, Otto…the question might be…what does it take to “finding home”? Like you… moving around as you do….finding home might be, for the moment, where you are…whether in a physical place or a mental place…or both! That would apply to me, as well: Home is where I am. That is not the mystery though. Some interesting comments have been made but…the ‘mystery of because’ stands wide open…….

      Thank you for the compliment on the BRAE TOTHS watercolour….your posts inspire me to just keep going…..there is always something in your words that relate to my artistic sensitivities.
      Best to you, R.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. DK, I am becoming quite accepting of the “…strange comfort…” [Dalo’s comment below] in the “because”. However, it is no more well-earned nor deeply-felt than say…yours? R. It is. R.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Love the watercolor to open this post ~ idyllic setting even if jumping from house to house 🙂 Your story is an intriguing one…

    I’m at the point in my life where jumping around every other year or so and “experiencing experience” is beginning to make me question the same. But then there is the “I’ve mostly seen the whole bigger picture from all sides, top to bottom, and there is no scheme other than finding…home.” And a strange comfort in it all. Wish you a great weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. R. Can not count with certainty how many times I’ve read and then re-read your comment.
      Everything up to now…experiencing experience…[for me] now doesn’t require the white noise.
      It requires the promising colours of quiet….this is my “…strange comfort…”. The who or why becomes insignificant at a pivotal juncture. As DK said “…the mystery of ‘because’!
      Missed you at the rodeo this year…maybe next? xR

      Like

      1. “The mystery of because…” This is perfect.
        I’m not sure at what point “why?” no longer carried the weight it used to, but the fact another reason became more important is the key. Mystery, the quiet and to see the world through a different lens. I like it 🙂
        Yes, next year definitely will be at the Round-Up, I’m looking forward to it 🤠

        Liked by 1 person

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