Before leaving, I really tried to purge my clutter and treasures. Megan and I donated a few car loads of clothes, dishes and furniture. It is fascinating what your life looks like when you pack it into boxes and what's even more fascinating are the things you decide you just can't live without.
Marcel, a 4-year-old basenji who I adopted last year, had to get rid of some of his toys and belongings as well. As I put old, chewed, stuffing-less toys into the garbage, Marcel would pull them out. One by one we went through this tug of war, my putting toys in the garbage, Marcel pulling them out.Eventually, I won the toy battle, getting all but one white duck into the garbage. When I tried to throw away the duck, it was pulled from the garbage and hidden under the bed. So the duck we kept.
There were things like this that I came across. Things I just couldn't bear to part with. Silly things too, ticket stubs from dates Phil had taken me on, stacks of Time Magazines featuring what I deem to be, "important moments in history" and a King Crimson album cover that terrifies my friends but that I just adore, for some reason.
I wonder why we hang on to these things, why we bother to pack them up and carry them from one place to the next. Nevertheless, with a duck and an album cover, Marcel and I have officially moved in.
My New Home Office
So now I'm here, working, living and loving my new location! I grew up about 20 minutes north of here in Cave Creek, AZ. But when you've been gone a while, you look at home as a new place to discover. And I can't wait to do just that! I'm surrounded by wonderful restaurants, shops, the beautiful desert and great friends and family.
Since I've been here, there has been quite a bit of celebrating! My friend and college roommate Amy graduated from PA School. I'm so proud of her and it was such a delight to watch her walk across the stage on her way to doing what she always said she would. She'll begin taking care of children in the coming weeks. I wish her all of the luck in the world, though she does not need any luck at all.
Another friend, Liz celebrated her birthday this weekend. And I reunited with some high school friends who I haven't seen in a long time. It is good to be back in Scottsdale. And it is great to be in such good company.
P.S. Missing my friends in Tucson, and the one heading to Des Moines, check her blog out at http://dancingindesmoines.blogspot.com/.
