I’ve neglected you but not rejected you. This past summer set records for suckiness on the mood front, so not much writing happened. Then we got the bug to move … and even less writing happened. There was a trip to San Francisco in there, too — inspiring but busy. And now I’m ready to write again. I hope my friends who’ve wandered away in the face of silence will wander back — I’ve missed you!
The bedroom side of our new loft has a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, and my desk overlooks a busy street corner that serves up a microcosm of life ’round the clock. There are houses on two corners, a business on one, and our parking lot on the fourth. People in East Lawrence walk everywhere. They walk their dogs. They push their babies in strollers or wear them in slings, and daddies are every bit as prevalent as mamas. They walk to lunch and come back carrying take-out containers. They walk alone, in pairs, in groups. They walk in every kind of weather — without wearing grim expressions on their faces. They ride bicycles by the dozen. I watch them and fall under the illusion that I, too, have been out enjoying the day and moving my limbs. Instead I’m a voyeur, an observer. My boo-boos from the move are nearly all healed, my spirit almost fully recharged. My new bicycle waits patiently in the parking garage, and Mass St. is calling my name.
For now I sit at my desk. Thinking, remembering, snacking, drinking (sometimes). It’s so easy just to sit and watch the leaves fall off the trees and pretend other people are getting my exercise for me! Stay tuned … I have a feeling it gets better.
Playing for Time 
Nov 07, 2013 @ 21:56:55
Judy, your writing is a gift. You need to publish. You painted a wonderful picture of what it looks like from your loft. I felt like I was there. Barb
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 11:13:31
Thank you, Barb, and it’s so good to see you again. In my hurt after all the doors closed for Kim (and thus for me) I closed doors of my own … and you ended up being fall-out from that. It felt like everyone closed ranks against us, and there was a great silence out there which my pride and my mother-lion protectiveness for him wouldn’t let me breach. We hope you’ll come visit us here — it’s turning out to be a very healing place.
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 17:50:44
Someday I’m going to live in a walkable town/city. Lawrence sounds fabulous!! I’m just a little jealous but oh so happy for you & Kim! Can’t wait to visit. Xoox
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 10:59:05
Susan, from the time we met and married almost ten years ago we talked about moving, and we had several criteria: It should be a university town in a blue state; the arts should be readily available; it should have a vibrant music scene; it should boast a top-notch medical community; we’d like a walkable neighborhood next to a lively downtown; we’d prefer a loft with polished concrete floors; and if possible, near the ocean. Five outta seven ain’t bad! We compromised on the ocean part — but Clinton Lake will suffice. And we didn’t land in a blue state, but we’re in the only blue county in Kansas! And in a place where we don’t feel like we stand out for our independence — that’s huge. If there’s any justice in life at all, we should both live longer for having brought ourselves here.
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 15:45:59
Where? Where? Is it a quiz? E Lawrence is Alabama, is that right? Delighted to have you back Judy.
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 17:01:02
Lawrence, Kansas, Roy, in the northeast corner of the state. The precise opposite of where we were, which was the southwest corner. Separate worlds. And THANK you, by the way!
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 02:19:40
Ah, now I see. It’s on the Oregon trail. Well, every best wish in your new life. It’s very exotic to know a blogger from Kansas!
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 11:17:36
Lawrence is probably the most exotic spot the state has to offer — there’s nothing ordinary about it, really. It has a rich history and a kick-ass attitude, which suits us just fine in this season of our lives. Western Kansas is pretty flat and has a dearth of trees, which is how most people picture the state thanks to The Wizard of Oz. In this corner the hills roll, the grass is lush, the trees obscure the houses, and the riverbeds actually have water in them. We’re thriving on unique concepts such as those!
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 15:45:23
Ah yes, http://www.lynnwoolf.com/ is the sort of Kansas that Dorothy lives in 🙂
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 15:59:36
Exactly!
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 15:20:33
Keep it up, Judy. I love your style and living my life precariously through you. Well, a little over the top maybe, but you know what I mean.
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 16:59:57
Precariously. I like that.
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 13:13:39
It sounds like you are really enjoying your new home. The town sounds like a wonderful place to live.
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 13:19:36
Ruthie, it’s even better than we knew it would be. Maybe not everyone would agree, but for us it’s perfect! 🙂
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