I have been neglecting this website for years. Not because of a lack of caring but probably because of life in general. Four years ago I retired from teaching. Since then I have been making some big moves and life changes. I still am interested in art and politics as well as education but life interrupts many ideas and plans.
I had one goal for retirement. I wanted to move to a place where I could have a lake view. I have accomplished that goal. Originally, I was going to stay around Sturgis as there are beautiful lakes there and I was part of the community. However, after my brother, Zike, moved to Leelanau County from Alaska, I started to want more connections with family. My son had moved to California and I had looked into potentially moving there but sadly I don’t have enough money for California. The housing costs there are ridiculous! I grew up in an extremely large family of fourteen kids. I felt drawn back to get to know my family better. I started thinking about my roots in the Maple City area. One night I realized that my heart yearned for family, so I changed my retirement destination. I looked around Traverse City and the surrounding area. I even considered Big Rapids but not that seriously. Property in the Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties was very difficult to find in a price range I could afford. I was almost going to give up my lake dream as I had sold my home and had around 20 days to find a place to move to. I was still looking at Zillow on my own when a property popped up in Cadillac that made me immediately call my realtor and ask for a viewing. After making plans with my friend, Ellen, we made a quick trip to Cadillac and the rest is history.
Moving was a bit crazy but my brothers, Zike and Bob, were super and helped me get moved. They essentially moved my art/pottery studio and the guys I hired moved my house stuff. Even though I purged a lot of stuff and had given things away….I should have gotten rid of more. Here I am three years later with boxes in my garage that I have not yet unpacked. However, my home is my dream. I have the view I dreamed of and I love it even in the winter when it is cold and gloomy. The lake is alive and always reminds me of a breathing being with the ebb and flow of the water. I am proud of my life and what I did not just as a single mom, artist/potter, art teacher, but also as a person making goals.
I am hoping that my story and life appeals to other people and if it does, please feel free to interact with me through comments.
