As fall approaches in what could arguably be called A Most Difficult Year, I am downsizing to a new house. This is bittersweet for me because I love my old house so much. It’s the house where my kids grew up, the house that has their little handprints in the cement. There’s no real reason for me to feel so sentimental about a place, though, because I’ve lived in many houses, and if you’re lucky enough to be able to take the people you love with you, it’s all good.

My oldest son and daughter have graduated from college. Alexander lives in Escondido now–he’s healthy, happy, in a stable, long-term relationship, and has a great job. My daughter has a great job, but she prefers to live at home because she’s not stupid and rentals are ASTRONOMICAL here.

The twins are still in school so they too, still live at home. Maxfield wants to be an actuary, and Zachary is still undecided what he wants to do, but goes to school and works very hard. The important things will travel with us. Memories. Love. Laughter. Pictures. Films and DVDs of them on Christmas mornings and in talent shows.

No, it’s more that there’s another chapter of my life looming, and I’m not entirely sanguine about it–getting OLD. I feel old. Sometimes, I find myself acting old. I haven’t yet uttered the words, “‘Get off my lawn,” but I’ve been close once or twice.

To that end, I have decided to be like one of those countries in rampant inflation that simply lop off a zero from their money system. I plan to add a decade to my imaginary life span. I am downsizing in every way possible. Eating healthy. Exercising regularly. I plan to live simply, and find a way to bring health and happiness to others too, because that’s what I’ll be missing most from that middle part of my life–the chance to be the nurturer.

To be clear, my kids are in no position yet to have children, so my grandmother days are still ahead. I guess I’ll just have to look elsewhere to do good.

In the meantime:

Hawai’i Five Uh-oh will be out in November 13, 2018

Built To Love will be out in December 18, 2018

House on Fire should be ready by January 15, 2019

And stay tuned for Three Vlog Night, the third installation in the loosely related but in now way serial Plummet Series, and Hellion in the Making, part of the My Cowboy series, coming soon!