Minnesota Rediscovered

I've made it to Minnesota. My son and I drove from California, stopping along the way at Kingman, AZ; Tucumcari, NM; Kansas City, MO; and finally to Prior Lake, where my sister lives. It was a good time to become reacquainted with my adult son -- we had plenty of time to talk and laugh together along the way. Hugo (my dog) was a good traveler, and we had sparkling weather all the way, not a drop of rain or flake of snow. Much gratitude for that!

Hugo relaxing in his car seat

Arriving at this time of year, I'm reminded of how much I've missed winter while living in California for the past 40 years.  I love the bracing cold, the drifting snowflakes, all of it -- okay, not the ice on the driveways or anywhere else.  At my age, ice is dangerous.

So far the weather has been mild, in the 20s or 30s, but we're headed for a cold snap for the next week.  We'll see how Hugo and I like that -- so far he seems pretty happy with going out and running around in the snow.  I've discovered that if he goes out without a sweater, his time outside is fairly self-limiting -- he runs around for a while, then makes a dash for the door.

The view from a window

I'm buying a house!  I looked at so many online before I left California, and my sister and brother-in-law had gone and looked at several, pronouncing one "perfect."  So the day after we got here, we looked at it, made an offer the next day, and in a few weeks -- I sincerely hope -- it will be mine!  It's a townhouse, only a short drive from my sister's house.  Cross your fingers that all goes well!

It's hard to uproot yourself at any point, but in the years of seniority it feels particularly difficult.  Getting here was a monumental task, but that part of it is over, and I'm looking forward to each moment of the future.

Me, feeling hopeful in Minnesota