The Road to Phoenix

 ”I hope you didn’t Lucy me,” DH teased.

Remember that funny old movie, The Long Long Trailer with Desi and Lucy? It was all about their adventures hauling a trailer across the U.S. Lucy collected rocks from each site they visited, and they had a heck of a time getting the heavy trailer over the mountains. That’s what we felt like recently, moving things from Nebraska. Now, I’ve been known to collect rocks in our trips to Colorado, but this time, the heavy load was books.

We borrowed a huge van from DH’s carpet store and attached a U-Haul to the back of that. With 50 boxes of books and other things, it was a heavy load, believe me. But we got over the mountains just fine.

Now, like Maureen O’Hara in another good old movie, The Quiet Man, I’m happy because “I have my things about me.” It didn’t really feel like home until I unpacked my boxes and set up my office. More things will be coming from Nebraska on future trips. For instance, we have to bring two cats on the two-day drive. But for now, I can settle in.

I figured I’d better change my blog title and look. Hope you like it.

Down-sizing

 I’ve been in Nebraska for the past month, getting rid of things I don’t want to move to Phoenix. What a chore! And what a trip down memory lane!

First came the garage sale. I had to chuckle about how important these items once were to my life. Here’s the doll dressed in mauve satin. She was acquired during my “Victorian phase,” and she brought a dollar. Here’s the baked potato that my mother made in ceramics class in 1963. Hey! You gotta have a special dish for the sour cream! How about the dated dessert set in green glass? I used it once a year for many years when it was my turn to host my writing group, Quill (or The Ladies From Queer, as DH used to call them). Put out the toaster oven that was used only once. It was GE brand, and I hate GE on principle. Many fond memories, and the garage sale netted me $300.

We also sold furniture on Craig’s List. When they took away my dining set with hutch, I nearly cried. I’ve loved it so. It held many family members, friends, and good meals throughout the years. But now, it’s dated and I’m tired of looking at it. We’re going contemporary now, and it just wouldn’t fit into our new house. I gave away my piano to a good home with kids who will (hopefully) cherish it as much as I did.

But one thing I’ll never give up–my library and bookshelves. So far, I’ve packed 50 boxes full of books. DH keeps asking if I can’t get rid of some books. I’ve warned him ominously, “No! And I’ll know if even one is missing!” I do re-read them, and some can’t be replaced, such as the 1939 hardback edition of Grapes of Wrath with my father’s name and Perryton, Texas, address on the bookplate.  

Yes, it’s definitely time to “let go” of things, keep my fond memories, and get ready for new good times in Phoenix.

Back to Nebraska

  I’m back in Nebraska for about six weeks. Everything is so green here! I must say I miss the palm trees, saguaro cactus, and mountains of Phoenix though.

My work is cut out for me. I’ll be having a huge garage sale–trying to get the neighbors interested in going for a neighborhood one. I’ll also be selling furniture on Craig’s List. We have so many things accumulated over 25 years in this house, and many of them are not what I’d want to pay to move down to Phoenix.

Anybody want to buy anything? I’ve got it all–and at reasonable prices!

Hooray for Tea Parties!

  Thousands participated in Tea Parties across the nation today to protest the runaway government spending going on. I’m glad for this show of solidarity, and I agree with them 100%.

Obama, Pelosi, Geithner, and the other liberals are spending us into oblivion. As they raise taxes to cover it, it’s going to hurt, hurt, hurt. As they print money to finance their giveaways, the savings that Americans have worked for will lose its value. We, our children, and our grandchildren will have a very tough time going forward.

And enough with the bailouts! Our nation was founded on individualism and everyone’s chance to do the best he can–not on Big Brother’s socialist handouts and subsidizing those who can’t make it.

Just my opinion, but I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. I just hope Obama is listening (but I think there’s very little chance of that). Here’s hoping the Tea Parties today are not a one-time thing, but the beginning of a movement that goes on into the elections of 2010.

No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

   Lately, I’ve been watching The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. This HBO series and the books that spawned it have been enormously popular. I know I “should” like it, and I do enjoy the colorful scenery and the lilting language. But it makes me feel “icky.” Whenever I watch it or think about it, I feel uneasy. Slightly queasy and nauseous in the pit of my stomach. Slightly impatient and frustrated. Yuck!

Why do I feel this way? Because the whole premise reeks of codependency, the very thing I’ve been battling. The main character is Precious Ramotswe, and “precious” she is. She is supposed to be so wonderful and lovable because her goals are the unselfish ones of helping solve other peoples’ problems and improving her beloved Botswana. She takes responsibility for everyone else, but she doesn’t take care of herself. She makes no money with her detective agency, so she doesn’t take care of her finances. She is obese, so she doesn’t take care of her health. She lives alone, grieving over the abuse she received at the hands of her ex-husband, so she often thinks of herself as a victim. Meanwhile, her beloved Botswana is idealized, and it is never mentioned that the country is inundated with HIV/AIDS. 

All this is a sure recipe for codependency–the act of taking responsibility for other people while neglecting responsibility for oneself. Maybe I’m overly sensitive because I see this in myself too much.  But I wish this popular series did not represent codependency as something good, idealistic, and admirable. Yuck.

Rosson House

   1895. It was a momentous year. Among other events, Oscar Wilde had his downfall that year and went to jail in England. And Dr. Rosson built his house in Phoenix, AZ. A beautiful Victorian mansion it is.

I went today to Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix, where the town first began. (Actually where it “rose like a phoenix” from the ashes of the disappeared Hohokam Indian settlement.) The Square is Phoenix’s answer to Colonial Williamsburg although, of course, on a much smaller scale. And you know what a sucker I am for historic houses! Back then, the Rosson mansion was one of the most prominent homes in Phoenix and cost $7,525 to build. 

Within walking distance are the ASU campus, the Arizona Science Center with a planetarium that shows “billions of stars,” and the Phoenix Museum of History. Also a British pub, The Rose and Crown, to have Scotch Egg, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie.

I couldn’t begin to do it all today, so will have to go back–many times since the area is a lovely one. So much to do in Phoenix! I’m making lists so I’ll know where to take visitors when they start coming down.

Life List

  Job hunting has to be one of the most frustrating things a person has to do. I’ve been applying for jobs in Phoenix, but haven’t gotten one so far. I went on two interviews with the same company, but still didn’t get the job. OK, so it wasn’t the ideal job for me anyway, but you can’t help feeling a little, well … rejected.  

Instead of wallowing in pessimism, I’m reading a book, The Aladdin Factor, which is all about continuing to ask. Ask for an interview, ask God, ask the universe. You have to ask, ask, ask before you can receive. But first, you have to ask YOURSELF! Did I really want that job that I interviewed for twice? Not really. It just came up on the radar.  If I were to ask myself what I really want to do with the rest of my life, it wouldn’t be that job.

Here’s where it gets exciting. The book says we should make a Bucket List of 101 specific wishes. What fun! We don’t have to limit ourselves or even wonder if something is possible. It’s a way to find out where we should be directing our energies.

Want to be exhilarated? Explore possibilities for your life? Quit limiting yourself? Form a plan? Check out a web site called eLifeList.com. You can make your own Bucket List, get ideas from others’ lists, hopefully check off things as accomplished, make friends, and get excited about life again. For ideas, see What’s On Your Bucket List? in my links to Favorite Sites.

Happy wishing!

Phoenix House

  Here’s a pic of our new Phoenix house. It’s Spanish style, which most houses are down here. Almost new and very comfortable, with an office where I can have all my books in their bookcases. Also a guest room for visitors. The front yard came landscaped, but the back yard is completely bare and empty. It’s going to take a while before we can get to that.  One thing we especially like is no steps! As we get older, we think that’s going to be important.

It was a foreclosed house, which makes me sad for the people who lost it. But there are tons of these here in Phoenix–three more on our street alone, including the one next door. It’s a good time to buy while prices are low.

I never imagined I’d end up in Phoenix. But DH wanted to, so I’m along for the ride!

Visit to Phoenix

  So I’m spending the month of March in our Phoenix house with my daughter. DH will come down in a week to join us. The weather and desert are enchanting. I’ll never tire of palm trees, saguaro cactus, and the purple mountains surrounding the Valley of the Sun.

A visit and tour through Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West was thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a magical place, and now I’m reading the biography of Wright’s life. Also took a hike with my cousin through the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, soaking in the desert ambience.

Looking for a  job has not been as pleasant or easy as sightseeing. I apply online, but it just disappears into the ether (err…into the desert heat?). Haven’t gotten a job interview yet. I think I’ll just have to dress up in my suit and walk into places. Wish me luck!

The Comeback of Mickey Rourke

   I’m enamored of Mickey Rourke. Always have been. Since he broke out with Body Heat, through 9 1/2 Weeks, to the popcorn scene and his hilarious “explanation” in Diner, I’ve enjoyed watching him on-screen. Then he self-destructed and sabotaged his career for 15 years. Such a Bad Boy!

But America is a land of second chances and comebacks. Rourke has accomplished  this with his latest film, The Wrestler. It’s a sad movie, but, as usual, Rourke is fascinating, talented, and charismatic. And still sexy as ever.  

His pretty face is gone, and his voice is harsher. He’s older. But it’s hard to take your eyes off him or keep your heart from being moved. I’m so glad he’s back.

Here’s to hoping the Academy gives the Best Actor Oscar to Mickey Rourke this year. He deserves it.