Your questions seem especially relevant since I chose the Asheville area 17 years ago as a climate haven.
Hurricane Helene made Matters of Kinship on Substack even more purposeful. Yesterday the power was restored after 15 days. I spent those two weeks without power working in the trenches with my community. At 69 I felt the gift of being ready. Or i should say “capable.”
I am content knowing this land chose me.
Thank you for your questions. In kinship, Katharine
A gift of sorts to be reminded of kinship and our inner strength. I do believe that connection to place is part of our DNA. We only need to listen. Happy to know you are safe! Thank you for commenting, Katherine.
Beautiful introduction to ... your next book? I love this combination >> "...land, neighbors and region. A place full of vivid memories and that wild contentment..." Surely that would be the best kind of place to become a wiser, elder, and more distinguished gardener, tending the right things well. I'm not sure location matters much? Loved your writing and determination, Sue. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words, Marianne! We are staying for a few more years but not sure what will come next. I love my place but am watching my neighbors (89/85) struggle with health issues, falling and maintaining their home and land.
I’m married to a man 19 years older and childless so when I was younger I always feared what might become of me when I was decrepit. Then I joined a synagogue in a different city and found there was a vibrant old people’s home with various levels of provision associated closely with the community. I’ve no idea if I’ll end up there but all the fear has gone knowing it exists as an option!
Oh, the knock on the door that changed your life from part of a pair to solo! I am sorry that is part of your journey. Losing a spouse sucks, no matter how it happens. I am glad you have been able to find community and comfort in the place you call home. And I am very glad you are here on Substack, writing about the journey that is aging!
As for where to live as we age, it's a difficult question. I wandered for a decade after my husband died of brain cancer, and have settled on the juniper-sutdded prairie near a small city in north New Mexico, away from the city, but nearby. No streetlights or traffic, lots of stars at night and the coyote choruses to remind me that this is their place first. I'm probably 25 minutes from the nearest emergency room, and that's fine with me. I figure I have a good decade to enjoy my small passive solar house and the community of the land around me. And then? I may just decide it's time to let go of this existence while I can still love my part in it. I don't know. I'll pay attention and see how I feel as the years go by. In the meantime, I have work to do and life to appreciate!
I love this piece, Sue. Please keep up your writing! Your story is totally compelling and you're such a good writer.
I don't know if Substack is the best venue for you, but it seems like a good one for quite a few writers.
(Just save your posts in a word document: obvious, of course, but I had to download a LOT of blog posts to work on a current book about our first two years in Quebec!)
I love this piece, too, Sue!
Your questions seem especially relevant since I chose the Asheville area 17 years ago as a climate haven.
Hurricane Helene made Matters of Kinship on Substack even more purposeful. Yesterday the power was restored after 15 days. I spent those two weeks without power working in the trenches with my community. At 69 I felt the gift of being ready. Or i should say “capable.”
I am content knowing this land chose me.
Thank you for your questions. In kinship, Katharine
"In the midst of chaos there is opportunity"
A gift of sorts to be reminded of kinship and our inner strength. I do believe that connection to place is part of our DNA. We only need to listen. Happy to know you are safe! Thank you for commenting, Katherine.
Beautiful introduction to ... your next book? I love this combination >> "...land, neighbors and region. A place full of vivid memories and that wild contentment..." Surely that would be the best kind of place to become a wiser, elder, and more distinguished gardener, tending the right things well. I'm not sure location matters much? Loved your writing and determination, Sue. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words, Marianne! We are staying for a few more years but not sure what will come next. I love my place but am watching my neighbors (89/85) struggle with health issues, falling and maintaining their home and land.
I’m married to a man 19 years older and childless so when I was younger I always feared what might become of me when I was decrepit. Then I joined a synagogue in a different city and found there was a vibrant old people’s home with various levels of provision associated closely with the community. I’ve no idea if I’ll end up there but all the fear has gone knowing it exists as an option!
Oh, the knock on the door that changed your life from part of a pair to solo! I am sorry that is part of your journey. Losing a spouse sucks, no matter how it happens. I am glad you have been able to find community and comfort in the place you call home. And I am very glad you are here on Substack, writing about the journey that is aging!
As for where to live as we age, it's a difficult question. I wandered for a decade after my husband died of brain cancer, and have settled on the juniper-sutdded prairie near a small city in north New Mexico, away from the city, but nearby. No streetlights or traffic, lots of stars at night and the coyote choruses to remind me that this is their place first. I'm probably 25 minutes from the nearest emergency room, and that's fine with me. I figure I have a good decade to enjoy my small passive solar house and the community of the land around me. And then? I may just decide it's time to let go of this existence while I can still love my part in it. I don't know. I'll pay attention and see how I feel as the years go by. In the meantime, I have work to do and life to appreciate!
Hi Susan! I enjoy your writing and recently ordered your book, Bless the Birds: Loving in the time of dying. Thank you for you support.
Thank you, Sue. I hope that Bless the Birds is useful and inspiring. And that your place continues to hold you and nourish you!
What a wonder piece. I am also in that place of thinking about aging and wondering how to live well.
I love this piece, Sue. Please keep up your writing! Your story is totally compelling and you're such a good writer.
I don't know if Substack is the best venue for you, but it seems like a good one for quite a few writers.
(Just save your posts in a word document: obvious, of course, but I had to download a LOT of blog posts to work on a current book about our first two years in Quebec!)
I look forward to reading a lot more.
Thank you so much! Yes, I write in Google docs and then copy/paste. I look forward hearing more about your book.