Sunday, July 29, 2012

Moving with Raven

Time stood still as we waited for confirmation about our relocation. Over and over, I began to write...and over and over, I closed the computer when sitting in one place became too anxiety-producing.

I love the patterns in the bark of the Interior Fir Tree
I've been pacing for a couple of months, now. It's good exercise, at any rate, and does seem to lower tension a bit. And I've realized, during any chaotic period in my life, that I paced through it all. Not that this is a big epiphany or anything; it is only an interesting thought!

I imagine my pacing will accelerate over the coming months. We are moving to Victoria, B.C.; Graham will begin his new job on October 1.  

I'm not sure I quite believe it. Victoria is one of my favourite cities. Never in a million years did I ever believe I would  actually live there. But it appears as if, for the next four or five years at least, that is exactly where I will be.

Poppies everywhere!
This will be as much of a transition for me as moving from Qualicum Beach to the Cariboo. As I write this, traffic sounds and other city sounds have become completely foreign to me...yet in a couple of months, I will have to acclimatize not only to a noisier environment, but also to the change in weather.

Driving the highway into the city of Williams Lake has prepared me for anything. City driving will not bother me, especially since I already am familiar with Victoria, having had relatives there over the years.

Victoria is surrounded by Ocean...the Universe obviously listened carefully to my plea about wanting...no, needing...to live by Ocean and her Beaches. You can believe my first  walk on a Beach will be something to write about...I will have come home.

Our young friend Raven  
The last couple of months of interminable walks and garden work has allowed me to say goodbye to our home here. Many tears were shed, believe me. I love this home, this place, the Animals...yes, and even the extreme weather. But I will love the memories just as much, perhaps even more, from afar.


We will be so much closer to the family! Day trips are not out of the question...Port Alberni, where family lives, is about two and a half hours from Victoria. It is a small hop, as compared to the vast distances  we traveled in the Cariboo.


And as well, we plan on buying our retirement home/weekend retreat in Port Alberni. I am so excited over traveling up Island to garden in a home I know I will not leave again.


These Poppies will bloom until Frost
There are many unknowns. I try not to trouble myself over them. Our house here will sell, in the time allotted. The garage sale will be organized; movers will be contacted, excess furniture will be sold. All those things, taken one step at a time, will be done, one after another. Worrying over them will not get them done any faster, in fact, it may hinder the whole process.


So say I...


Finding a place to live in Victoria is my main objective, right now. Something inside me needs to know I have a place to go to...to arrive at...to be. It will settle me down. We will rent and there seem to be many, very expensive homes but few in what I consider a reasonable price range.


Delphiniums a little the worse from Wind damage
But then, the last time I rented any home, was way back in the early seventies. Things have certainly changed since then!


An apartment/condo would be ideal for Graham and I, but we have another member of the family to consider. Lucky may not do so well with long hallways and elevators and an inability to go outside at will. And so, hopefully, we will find a house which appeals, yet does not cost an arm and a leg...a daunting prospect!

September, in my mind, has forever been the time of new beginnings. This year, certainly, will be one of the more memorable ones.

I will have time to harvest my garden, to watch the Perennials bloom a final time. Lucky and I have met a Raven who follows us on our morning walks. Having just made his acquaintance...and an odd acquaintance it is!...I want to study him a little more, before I leave.

He has a message. As yet, I haven't deciphered it, although somewhere inside me, I know what it is. It is only a matter of removing the blockages I've put in place, long ago, in order for me to hear...

One morning, he sat here for a long time, contemplating...
In the meantime, Raven appears to be listening to my concerns, inserting the occasional gurgle or squawk, as Lucky checks out the overnight visitors. He flies from Branch to Branch, Tree to Tree, as I walk...bobbing his head at me, cocking his head when I speak. He is a young Raven. I imagine he is as curious about me as I am about him.


I will miss him, as I will miss seeing all the wildlife I have made friends with over the years. I am so eternally grateful to have had the opportunity.

Lilies are smaller than usual this year
A new stage is beginning. There will be much to do before I can see the finish line for this particular stage.

I know more tears will fall, when I leave. A piece of my heart will always reside here in the Cariboo.

It is the way of it...

 





31 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for you, Marion. Victoria is such a beautiful city. Just think of all the new loves you will be able to establish whilst keeping the memories of the old.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes! I am excited, too, Annie! I will enjoy living in Victoria, as different from here as it is. I feel ready for it. xx

      Delete
  2. Another exciting venture Marion, I too am pleased for you. The raven is a good sign, watch out for similar signs when you are looking for a new place. Whilst its sad to leave your old home think of it as no longer yours, but some one else's and you want to move so that makes it easier. you are doing all this because you want to not because you have to. For some reason my previous comments have not appeared so hopefully this will appear. All the very best Dave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Old friend, thank you for reminding me to look for Raven et al at my new home. And this is so exactly how I'm thinking of this home...as someone else's. I imagine a young family moving here and think of children finding all the hidden places right here on this land. xx

      Delete
  3. Another exciting venture Marion, I too am pleased for you. The raven is a good sign, watch out for similar signs when you are looking for a new place. Whilst its sad to leave your old home think of it as no longer yours, but some one else's and you want to move so that makes it easier. you are doing all this because you want to not because you have to. For some reason my previous comments have not appeared so hopefully this will appear. All the very best Dave.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful adventure lies ahead of you, Marion. You've learned (and shared) so many life lessons in the places you've lived before, and those lessons will help you and Graham build a future that suits the two of you perfectly. I can't wait to travel along with you on this new road.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to experience new adventures just ahead. Right now, I feel in-between and uncomfortable as a result. But I am kept fairly busy weeding through all our "stuff"! haha! I don't have time, now, to worry and wonder...xx

      Delete
  5. i pace too.... :^)

    this will all work: you have a good attitude and a good approach, use my Mother's 'a wall at a time' approach when needed: just do what's part of or in front of one wall. honest, marion, it kinda works!

    i'm glad you're renting. less pressure, right? you might find a townhouse with a separate entrance. of course lucky gets to weigh in :^)

    i love this part of you, marion:

    'He has a message. As yet, I haven't deciphered it, although somewhere inside me, I know what it is. It is only a matter of removing the blockages I've put in place, long ago, in order for me to hear.."

    that that raven is hopping from tree to tree to keep up with you intrigues me. i love birds and would love a bird to do that with/for me.

    i am happy for you, my good friend. i will see you in victoria. probably next spring. how cool is that?!

    love
    love
    kj

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't wait to meet you face to face, Karen, and JB, as well. I will take you to all my favourite places!

      Your mother is very wise and it's Graham's approach as well. Me, I pace a bit first, before acceptance of not being in total control sinks in! haha xx

      Delete
  6. Looking forward to your reports on everything, Marion!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is so much "stuff" I feel I no longer require this time around. Funny how that is...I have lost the attachment to 'things', it seems. So there is lots to do readying ourselves for a moving sale.

      I just have to keep my eyes on the goal, haha! xx

      Delete
  7. that is wonderful news marion! i've been thinking of you. so happy for you and graham and the family. looking forward to your updates :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alison, I have been thinking of you as well. I have all my photos for the tiles and will get them to you asap. I should have visited your blog before I started this reply, but I will immediately after this comment is published. I hope things are moving along on the NZ end of it...xx

      Delete
  8. This is nice news. Victoria will certainly be a change in environment but a lovely one for you to enjoy. I can well imagine all the future photographs and writings to come from this rich hubbub of existence where the ocean is all around to inspire.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to being closer to beaches...beaches so like yours, just across the Strait! haha, I'll wave to you!

      I can spend hours on beaches with my camera...so many fascinating things and configurations, most contributed by Mother Nature. It's time I went back...xx

      Delete
  9. So nice to see a post from you! I was wondering if you had made a move yet.
    How wonderful you'll be near the ocean again and not so far from family. it's meant to be!
    Perhaps raven is telling you he'll watch your place and all of your animal friends.New people, good people will move in and love it as much as you and Graham (if that's possible!) Thanks goodness our memories are easy to pack and take along wherever we go.

    Blessings to you, my friend. Please update addresses when you're settled. And BOY do I know about the high cost of renting! Soon though, you'll find your own place with room to run for Lucky ;)

    xo
    lo♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have some concerns about our Lucky taking the move in stride. This summer, we have seen a big change in him...he seems to suddenly have become elderly.He sleeps a lot now, and heat really bothers him.

      We are all getting older. It was a shock to see it in Lucky, though, he has always been excitable and puppyish.

      I wonder if he'll remember the beach? I'm sure he will...xx

      Delete
  10. I am so happy for you - this is a great move despite all you'll be leaving behind. (I left a garden behind once, and oh my did it hurt!, but it was the right move). I'm glad you'll be near family and friends and enjoy the beach. Sometimes the universe listens doesn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wise and wonderful philosophy you've expressed here. Even though you will still be too far away to come for tea, I will imagine you sitting beside me, conversing. Then I will come to read here and see that we are thinking the same thoughts :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Marion...what a myriad of emotions you are currently experiencing...this is difficult enough for the *average* person - but for someone as intuitive and emotional as you - well, it must be overwhelming at times. BUT...with all of that wonderful emotion comes STRENGTH. You and your DH and Lucky too, will get through this move.

    I (selfishly) will miss your Cariboo Tales....as isolated as it is....there is a particular beauty and mytery there.... and I KNOW you will miss it....still, as Lo wisely says, you can pack and move memories quite easily. That last day though, will be a tough one....know that all of us who love you will be sending surrounding prayers of strength....

    Life calls you to a new and exciting chapter....the Beach.....your Family...new sights, smells....new friends....

    Lucky will be ok - because he knows you and your DH love him.....and love what will get him through.

    Mr. Raven is there to oversee your moving preparations....he will be your emissary between all the Cariboo *Critters* and will pass along your "Adieus" while at the same time, assuring you that this move is going to be GOOD for you.

    Sending you Love and Courage for this new and very exciting chapter.

    Always,

    ♥ Robin ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love what you said about Mr. Raven! An emissary! How wonderful!

      Thank you for this super post, dear Robin...you don't know how this cheers me. It will all work out, I'm sure of it. Everything just seems so disorganized at the moment, as it always does during a move, but you know what? I know I will not remember how difficult I found it all in just a little while! xx

      Delete
  13. Mim, Thank you for understanding how difficult it is sometimes to leave a garden. This garden was the hardest of all my gardens. The weather is extreme...cold in winter, hot in summer with some cold nights...plants must be confused! I had to learn to garden a different way up here. I don't like to remember how many shrubs and plants died before I found the varieties that would live here.

    I put so much of myself into the design and the upkeep, it will be hard to leave. I hope the next owners of this home will love to garden as well...xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pauline, one of these days we'll visit. We'll go down to the Empress Hotel in Victoria, have our tea and pretend we're grand ladies! xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am recollecting our 13 moves in twenty years and realizing that ginny did most of the pacing. (All of our stuff would fit in the goat with the stereo on top to crank up and provide initially the sounds of moving in.) I, as with graham, was able to be working each day which would take our minds off of the coming upset.
    But I am happy for you: a new location near the sea and with new people to talk to and interact -- the advantage of a city by the sea.
    I guess that you making full advantage of the electronic possibilities. Craigs list, realtors, and Google Earth to view potential abodes. You will do well whereever you land.

    It is just another part of the planet.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You have wonderful images and I love birds and flowers! Birds are messengers of the divine and they hold a special place in my heart, one of reverence and of beauty in seeing the inter-connectedness of all living things.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You made me cry with that one, Marion... loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Moving isn't bad. Sometimes its a good thing and for the good of all. At first it would be hard but when time goes bay you'll be able to adapt and meet new people. That's the best thing to it. You'd be able add new friends and acquaintances to your list.
    financial planners

    ReplyDelete

  19. Very nice photos! I wish I could have a garden like yours, so sad you'll be leaving all of this.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sending you peace and calm during this transition time :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Such a beautiful garden. Its a paradise.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So, Marion, are you okay up there in Canuck land.

    ReplyDelete

Google