…you can have everything if you let yourself be. – Donovan
I can’t have everything, else I would not be on this journey. But I find I can have quite a lot. I’m back to tending plants and landscapes. When we moved into the condo from the countryside, most all of those items went into stasis. We couldn’t bear to part with them, but the advantages of condo living came with some costs, and except for some container gardening, we lost having gardens. J would be so very pleased that her gardening tools and supplies have been put back into productive use. And that I had been put back into use.
I mentioned in the last post that I had chosen a fork in the road. As I have deployed for work, and then returned to Bangor for short stretches, it had become harder and harder to get back in the flow of things on each return. Increasingly I found myself alone in the condo, or down at the bar. I decided I needed to find a bigger city to which to move. I’ve got quite a spreadsheet of the largest 100 cities in the US, with demographics and ranking criteria. I got it down to about ten finalists.
Fate felt differently. Another family member was trying to make the switch from renter to home owner in the DC market. On a whim, I flew down to do open houses with them one Sunday. After looking at several properties, we walked into a row house and were sold. As a joint venture. Under contract within 48 hours. Which is very reminiscent of how J and I bought the condo. Spur of the moment. The yard played a large role.
Over the objections, surprise, and dismay of much of my family, I didn’t hire movers. I carefully calculated the volume of my possessions and rented a U-Haul. Something about Scrooge McDuck. On moving day, there were no trucks of the the size I rented – I was forced into one 5 feet longer. Which is a very good thing. We were barely able to close the door when fully loaded.
I swore I was never going to own another property. Ever. But here I am. DC Metro population of 5.5M vs Bangor 100k. And substantially more diverse than Bangor. With museums, live music, and food. Much to my dismay, I have come to love the Ethiopian food at the corner shop. The world turns.
Happiness runs in a circular motion
Thought is like a little boat upon the sea
Everybody is a part of everything anyway
You can have everything if you let yourself be
The Journey 
Congratulations on the new home and change of scenery! Good luck in your new city — you are not kidding when you say museums — DC museums will certainly keep you busy for quite a long stretch!
Every time I go to Smithsonian, I can never get past the Air & Space Museum — so much to see in that one museum!
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Hi Vern! This is Julie Prigioni from Barnes Road, CT. I was just in Maine recently at Acadia National Park and it reminded me of the times I visited your family in Maine during summers growing up. And Jesus Christ Superstar will always have a special place in my heart! So I decided to see if I could find you and your sisters. An email address for you was elusive!
After my Christmas card to your mom and Ted got returned in 2021, I learned that your mom passed away in 2019 and I wanted to say how sorry I am and that I really appreciated the kindness and compassion she always showed me. I did leave a message on the tribute wall, but I don’t see it anymore. I was also sorry to hear about Janelle passing away too soon.
I wish you all the best in your new venture! Thank you for so many fond memories!
Julie
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