Jim looks out over the meadow and forest and asks, “How did I grow so old in such a short amount of time?”
We have had 20 grand, adventurous years in the Cazadero hills. But now that we’ve orbited the sun 80+ times, we must migrate* back to the family nest. We are doing this in two phases–a friend in Cambria invited us to stay with her until the tiny house under construction in my daughter’s back yard in Venice (next to Santa Monica) is ready at the end of June.
Above: our nearest neighbors miraculously arrived at 8 a.m. to load the bed, piano, cat luggage, boxes and thoughtfully prepared road food into John Slater’s pickup and our car. This was a last-minute dash–with plenty of time for hugs.
Many friends have helped in generous and creative ways. We never ever could have pulled this move off without them. So far, complicated logistics are rolling out thanks to efforts from friends + serendipity and synchronicity.
During the long, tedious, daunting, pre-pack decision-making process, I often felt like this bird gone through the wringer.
Pre-pack preps went slowly because I am not a linear thinker. Discovering old items wrapped me in warp time–past, present and future. A graph of my consciousness might look like this:
Can I give up making sculptural dolls? Give away treasure boxes of fabrics?
Where to put what when something is already there? How many tools, supplies, fabrics, clothes can we shed? When, where and how can they be distributed? Who can help?
One of the many notable old scraps is a record of P36, a local mountain lion with a chip device. I expect you will want to know this info:
Satchels are crammed with my dad’s newspaper columns from the 1950’s–too long neglected..
Packing pressure happily slides to the side in favor of spending time with friends. Even now, I close my eyes and replay each and every visit. Beams of gratitude emanate. I’ll never have friends like this again.
We will never forget the last neighborhood bonfire beneath a full super moon.
Plenty of time for the last whale walk–
The last Buck Pasture and creek walk–
Plenty of time for admiring wildflowers–
Our cat Yoyo has his last meditation on the deck.
Help with the real deal pack up is delightful, delicious, heart-warming, funny, unforgettable. The last two weeks of push-pack & distribution of orphan items could not have happened without young Jesus Velasquez Greer and Joe Cooper. Here, the hilarious duo arm wrestle for possession of the joke fire hydrant.
They spar with spare rusty tool treasures.
They haul thousands of pounds of heavy boxes and furniture.
Boxes fill the entire main room except for the fresh flower cardboard box island of sanity smack in the middle.
After the final gathering on the deck (see first pic) and more hugs, we head south to the Golden Gate Bridge for perhaps the last time.
The stunning day enhances the lively journey. John–in his red pick up with the bed and piano–dodges showers beneath an overpass.
Upon arrival, John and Stephanie reassemble the bed and piano with such lickity split efficiency you’d think they had been working together for years instead of being strangers. Then, our hostess, Anne Seltzer, guides us all to the “best pizza on the planet” at Luigi’s.
We continue celebrating at the Morro Bay Kite Festival the next day..
Flying whales might have inspired Stephanie to extend the celebration with her first exhilarating sky dive.
Sky diving new technology and skills trigger a memory of the ancient flying condor, one of the mysterious Nazca designs seen most clearly only if you are flying.
Now, though, we head for future unknown territory.
Stay tuned–
Footnotes:
- Our tiny personal migration lives within the context of larger, more notable human and animal migrations. Here are a few that must be highlighted. For more info on migrating fruit bats, red crabs, salmon, caribou, wildebeasts, 4,000 species of birds and Monarch butterflies, visit treehugger.com.
Gretchen Butler Wild Art 
Hi Gretchen: Your long, newsy report brought tears to my eyes and sad/happy thoughts. You have my heartfelt admiration for venturing out to the unknown with all your possessions tettering on the backs of cars/trucks and also stuffed into every available space (I assume) in the wagon train of vehicles traveling to your new adventure and new (brand new!) domicile. Sending tons of hugs and love to you and my sweet brother, Jim. And kudos to all your friends for their hard work, time, & muscle to make sure you & Jim continue on your journey. ❤️🌺❌⭕️🌹🏡❤️
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Debbie, we appreciate every connection, every note and letter from you. Loves, g and j
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I don’t know how to leave a comment..too high tech! but what an adventure…and thank you for letting me have more than a glimpse at a place and lifestyle I can only dream about… much ,much love…. Mike
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Mike, turns out this hi tech is not too high for you! Thank you so much for your always positive responses.
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Hey! Big move!So you’ll be
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Karen, I didn’t know until now that neztnajk is YOU! so lame am I! So glad to be connected again!
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A lovely way to close that chapter of your life. What a delightful transition–a ‘vacation’ in Cambria–to your new home. It is a joy to be close to daughter and family.
I know the agony of sorting through all the ‘treasures’ we accumulate. I saw my entire life going into either the trash can or a thrift store. (It was bittersweet to see my ‘life’ on the shelves of the thrift where I spent 18 years volunteering to raise money to support local homeless services.)
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Dear Lynda,
I admire the way you’ve contributed to 18 years of local needs. And yes, shedding is a complex process. Will be sending you email shortly. Love, G
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Gretchen!!! Your talent for weaving the threads of life experiences into poignant creative and magical tapestry never ceases to amaze and inspire. Keep em coming!
love love love and whale hugs to you both💛🐳🌈
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Jenn, I think of you with each day’s ocean walk. I’ve been missing our rugged Sonoma coast and you are also part of that homesick feeling. Thank you for your message.
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I hardly can’t type cuz me heart is 💔and 🖤
Your enormous 🩷suffuses the narrative and some of the best is ahead… but i’m 😭
Roger
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Roger, you did everything right! Thank you–more coming.
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What a beautiful Gretchen-collage of time, life, friendship, beauty and creativity. My heart swells. I wish I had been there but then remember I was. Jim and Gretchen and the wonders of Cazadero friendship circles and bonfires live in my heart–I am there! Blessed be dear friends!
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Dear Gretchen,
What a beautiful description of your journey south. We would love to see you when you are settled.
Norah
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Gretchen and Jim, fare well, and fair winds on the voyage to Caledonia. We dearly miss, but will never forget, you both…
j. & Judy
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Oh, I will dearly miss you both! It makes the 2 pileated wood peckers painting more special to me. We go so far back Gretchen, when you just lived down on Seaview Road! Hugs to you both, wishing your next journey is peaceful and fruitful.
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Kathy and Hortencia ❤️🍷cheers!
wow! Wonderful to hear of your new adventures! We will never forget our magical stay with the both of you. Sitting on the deck, wine and star gazing. Love you guys❤️
Where did you relocate?
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