Holly in the city
Hello all.
I believe this has been the longest gap between blog posts since the inception of this blog. Why have I not been blogging? I’ve been a little busy. Since my last post I have written two short pieces that are meant to promote my forthcoming book; came to a decision with my family that we should sell our old farmhouse as it’s too big now that the kids are sort of grown-up. We had finally had enough of our drafty old farmhouse, you see, with its ghost and mice and bats and bad wifi - it was time to move on. So we cleaned up the house, manicured the grounds, gave our ghost her notice, invited a broker to come and tell us what he thought the tired old place was worth, got all excited at his figure and the prospect of “downsizing” by living in a one bedroom cabin on a lake with four dogs; had a minor family crisis which had us all convene at our beloved house – our dear, dear old house where we raised two kids and numerous dogs, where we buried a kind old horse and a few other sweet pets, and we wondered aloud and almost all at once, how we could have ever thought of leaving this sacred place that was so much a part of our family; came to the decision, as a family, that we would never sell it, I myself, declaring that when I left this house for good, it would be in a coffin; a week later, upon realizing that the entire exterior of house needs painting (again), I returned to the practice of turning every mealtime into a discussion of how and when we should sell the house. What else? Oh, I switched to iCloud, because my computer insisted I do so and immediately lost my ability to send and receive emails; I spent several hours at a so-called genius bar with an adorable young genius trying to sort it out; took several trips to the city to visit my kids who are working there for the summer. Hauled my horse to a horse show where we spectacularly failed. Let’s see what else? What else? Oh yes, I’ve started to write a new book. It’s another novel and I’m at the stage where I am either sitting at the computer tapping away wildly at the keyboard, or else I’m just thinking nonstop about the story. I mean nonstop. I mean that while I am driving, playing tennis, administering first-aid, mucking stalls, talking to my husband, eating, sleeping, fornicating (kidding) (sort of), I am thinking incessantly about these new characters and what they are up to.
Evening, Eyesore
So what have you all been up to?
I know I don’t get a vote, but I am so happy you decided to keep the farmhouse. So many memories. We sold our farmhouse on 200 acres in Virginia and we miss it terribly.
Oh my, you have been busy ! And missed here as well. Well—I’ve finished another school year, will be the administrator of the summer school program for a few weeks, been to a family reunion in honor of my aunt’s 89th birthday, saw a show or 2 in the city. Not nearly as dramatic or life-changing as others will have had; but I’ve already survived my dramatic. I am quite content with the mundane these days and am extremely happy just to be enjoying my life. Anyway— so glad you are back !!
Glad you don’t have so much drama now! Sounds great!
Me too Barbara!
Welcome Back. Missed your stories and of course your wit
)))))))))
Intense there! For a change
I’m breathless from reading.
And can’t wait to hear about the new project.
Beautiful pic from eyesore too.
Here it’s take an easel outside, paint at an easel inside, babysit, hike with Lil, play with the old horses, hang w the family, paint some more.
No travels till Sept.
Happy writing!!
I forgot to mention the monomaniacal obsession I have with SCRAMBLE, a Words With Friends app that is insanely addicting. Ms. CBJ is quite the player!
Words with Friends…love it, yet I can’t believe how many hours I have spent on that game. When you have multiple games being played at the same time – it’s worse. Plus, I don’t seem to do as well because I forget what my strategy was for the other games.
Lol. Nobody’s called me ANY kind of a player in a long time. Thanks, Ann!! You got me hooked and kick my a&& regularly.
whew! i started to panic a little until i finished reading. move to the eyesore? what about the horses? would the dogs have enough room to run around?
so scramble is better than words with friends?
SCRAMBLE is faster—and I swear it has helped my painting in some weird way. Honest
Ann, you beat me quite easily in Scramble with Friends, don’t forget! Rematch??
Ann is an amazing Scramble player!
What about the ice rink,, you can’t downsize.. where would everone play hockey??? I think you would regret moving.
It’s been hot hot hot here in Chi-town! Dreaming of sitting on the beach alot.. the eyesore looks more lovely with every post.
Welcome back. I have been checking in almost daily.
Happy to hear you are not selling your farmhouse. So many of your adventures are seeded from there. I also wondered about the horses and dogs.
We have a house with property that is hard to keep up and would be better off downsizing, but my heart won’t let me. I had a dream once, we sold it and I wanted it back.
So Ann, tread carefully on this decision.
Glad you are not selling the house. Adam is very relieved! You sure are busy. I give you so much credit. I don’t know how you find the time to do all that you do. The dogs and horses would be a full time job for me.
I just finished school a week ago and took my children to tons of appointments (orthdontists etc.) Everything is easier when we are all off from school. They were just thrilled.
Hoping to get some down time to just sit and relax. The older I get the more I miss my ‘free time.’ There seems to be less and less of it. Will be putting in a new deck; of course not one of us has the same idea on how it should look. This starts the conversation…’Maybe we should just keep the old deck up.’ The old deck really is an EYESORE!!!
Quick question….wondering if anyone else has this problem. I have a huge backyard, but very hilly. The one flat pretty section of the backyard that would be IDEAL for an inground or above ground swimming pool is where the original owner put the leech field. Does anyone else have this problem? Apparently, relocating the leech field is really expensive. The town’s solution to our pool situation – put the pool in your front yard. (There’s a flat section there, too.) My husband’s reply, “Should I get a sign that reads: Motel, Vacancy/No Vacancy.” We might be spending some time this summer trying to figure out if a pool of any kind is in our future.
Christine,
I’m sure you are aware that the leaching field is connected to your septic system. There are only (depending on the size of your property) so many spots where it can be placed. To relocate it away from your house will be expensive. It has to be connected to your septic or holding tank so that it can “leach” away from your house. We were planning the same thing except our problem was that we are in wetlands. I suppose you could have a raised structure, (which we were thinking about doing) but that also presented a myriad of other problems. If you do decide to put your pool in, I urge you to keep your town in the loop. If they don’t like what you do, or it isn’t according to “code”, they can make you take the whole thing out and fine you on top of everything else. I know each town’s regulations are different and some are more “according to the book” than others, but our town is tough about those kinds of things. So, just a “heads up”, and good luck!!
D,
I learned a great deal about the leaching field when we were getting pool estimates. (We call it the ‘leech field’ because it is sucking the fun out of our summers if we don’t get a pool or it will suck the life out of our finances if we do get a pool and move the field.) Five different pool companies came to our home to give us an estimate. When they saw we would have to move the leaching field, they said there was no point in giving an estimate because it would cost a fortune to move the field and put in the pool. I was shocked! Our town is EXTREMELY difficult to work with. I would definitely keep them in the loop regarding this situation. No one wants to build here because of how difficult the town can be. This is the first house we purchased in CT after leaving NYC. When I lived in the city I had a 40×100 lot and could have a pool (inground, above ground, hot tub etc.) right up to the property line as long as I had a fence. When we came here 11 years ago we did not know enough about septic systems. Perhaps if we did we would have purchased a different home. I have 2 acres of land (including wetlands) and I can’t even put in a pool!!! It just seems crazy. The wetlands are a whole other problem. The ‘raised structure’ you mentioned earlier – do you mean an above ground pool? Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it!
Christine,
It was an above ground pool – but we were bombarded with rules and regulations from practically department in town about what we could and couldn’t do. It seemed that everybody had their hands out. And not in a pretty way. So, I guess we buckled and didn’t end up putting it in – so I just enjoy pools when we go on vacation. My husband would have done it (he’s an Architect) and made it work but the powers that be here (in Westport Ct.) put up roadblocks at every turn and I couldn’t deal with the stress over something that was supposed to be pleasurable.
D,
That sounds like our situation – even an above ground pool is a problem here. So frustrating!
busy isnt the word..sounds like my life..well, welcome back, missed the posts, and of course your zany and fun stories..looking forward to this new book..
I am glad I am not the only one who has been to busy to post to a blog lately, I need to get on that….Just took a trip up to Quebec City/Montreal had a fabulous time escaping the heat. Glad you are keeping your farmhouse though they are alot of work, it’s home right?
Scramble with friends rocks! Also glad about your beautiful farmstead staying in the Leary family forever.
When is book coming out?
Ann, welcome back…we missed you!!!!! Am going into the city next week…where else can you sweat bullets, eat like a horse, shop like a nut, and still be happy as a clam???
Ann, Welcome back! WHEN you get a chance, could you please let me (us?) know which email address should be used to contact you? (It’s about your book, SO excited to read it, by the way!). This summer,I plan on seeing the new Spiderman movie. Some guy you know is in it, right? Have a great summer, everyone!
[email protected]
Thanks, Ann!
Hi Ann. Yes, we missed you, but we’ll cut you some slack. I couldn’t keep up a blog to save my life.
Happy to hear that everything is good, and that you’re writing a new book. That is a wonderful thing.
Keep us posted.
Better to be busy than bored. Glad to hear you are writing, can’t wait for new books
The moving dilemma is always stressful. Having same issue here, unfortunately it is more about economics that downsizing. But decision has been made for me as I can’t sell at the moment. Guess I’m staying put.
In the meantime I’m off to the Calgary Stampede for it’s the 100 year anniversary of the event. 10 days of Stampeding I won’t have time for anything else
That sounds like a blast!
Always a good time and this year they are going all out. Looking to have 1.2 million visitors this year. I’m off to the Rodeo this afternoon and to check out the Friesian Musical Ride. http://www.afha.ca/videos/pages/mane_2011_saturday.html
Welcome back – I too am glad you are not selling the farm – just take breaks once in a while! I’m just back from 3 weeks of vacation (the most I’ve ever taken). We drove from Florida to Greenwich, CT to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday and our 25th wedding anniversary. We had a great dinner at Morello’s Italian Bistro in Greenwich, where all the planets aligned – cute waiter, great food and we were all in good moods! We took our girls to NYC and got $30 tickets to see “Newsies” on Broadway!, saw thousands of people in Times Square doing yoga in the middle of the street! Then a few days later just my husband and I went back to NYC and stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria for our anniversary and had dinner at Le Veau D’Or french restaurant! Loved both, but was very disappointed with the people staying at the Waldorf – the place has a reputation for elegance and that is why we booked there – I guess money doesn’t buy “class” because people let their kids run and scream through the lobby, they left trash on the floor and the first person I saw was wearing Mickey Mouse sweatpants and t-shirt! The next night our college friend cooked dinner for us in his Manhatten apartment – we watched the sunset from his roof and sipped champagne! The following Friday, we were on our way home and stopped in the mountains of North Georgia and stayed in a log cabin! $150 a night got 2 huge bedrooms, 2 full baths, kitchen, livingroom, porch with hot-tub and 3rd bathroom! We didin’t see anyone with Mickey Mouse sweatpants on! (although we thought we heard banjo music . . .) We did so many more things – but I won’t bore you — I’m here to read what YOU are up to! Good to see you back in form!
Donna, staying at the Waldorf, dining at a fine restaurant, and sipping champagne from a Manhatten rooftop – Sounds like you had a divine time. The next time I go to NYC I’ll make to sip apple cider on somebody’s rooftop and ride the Staten Island Ferry again at late hours.
Gloria
I hope the night on your friend’s rooftop made up for the tacky tourists at the Waldorf. I think it’s best to experience any city by visiting the home of one of its residents.
It was definitely worth it! John is a photographer and blogger (The Trad) and took some artsy photos of me on the roof that made me look 20 years younger – a perfect gift. And they shared their bottle of Dom Perignon – a generous gift from anyone! We also took a trip to the Danbury, CT Christmas Tree Shop! (brother-in law in area) – I still have a mug that I bought at the first Christmas Tree Shop in West Yarmouth, MA in 1978! Strange how we hold on to old things. Hope you had a nice holiday!
Ann, so glad you and your family decided to keep the farm house. From the photos, I thought it was a beautiful place. What is sort of fornicating – I’ll let my imagination run with this.
Gloria
Missed you, Ann!
Nice to read a new blog entry, however, no pressure, you are very busy. Have been talking about downsizing for 2 years, after investing in a house for 25 years I want to bring it all with me, wait a minute, just stay put!
5th day on the Harley, Ottawa for Canada Day, Lake Placid on the 4th. Adirondack mountains in upstate NY, White Mountains in NH, next the coast of Maine. As with Donna, lots more but I won’t bore you, just know it’s a blast! Words with friends is on my to do list. Also, reading Ashley Judd’s book and lovin’ it.
Hi Sandy!!
Is your hair permanently windswept (despite the helmet)?
sandy – i just read ashley judd’s book and loved it, too! i actually re-read parts of it!
Yep, helmet hair is always an issue. Funny thing Lisa, before I even finished the book, I was flipping back to re-read parts, what a wonderful woman she is.
After a too-long absence, it’s nice to see that Ann has returned to the blog with her literary guns blazing, and the world (or at least this small part of it) is once again back in balance. Huzzah!
In addition to helping run the weekly farmers market here in my hometown, I’m also gradually developing a “Words with Friends” addiction this summer. (Thanks, Ann, for the initial push.) If anyone here wants to help feed this habit (and perhaps their own as well), you can find me at “aweinerinct”. Oh, I may live to regret this….
You were missed Ann..
Ann , it’s a lot of work to keep up a blog,you are always missed but we know life gets busy and you always come back
I have a feeling you will go around and around with the house, when the times right you will know it.
Me…….. Vacationing a little, off again tomorrow for a week and bought another house ….. That’s it!
Aaah, love the pic at the lake house. So happy for a new post.
Enjoy the summer!
I know how you feel about your old farmhouse. We live in a 200 year old converted barn and I swing back and forth between hating it – so much dust collects on the posts and beams, not to mention spider webs – and loving it.
My life has turned on a dime. Since retiring from teaching because of my recurring cancer and settling into a new routine my husband has been given a promotion. Good news. Which requires relocating to NYC. Umm, not bad news, very happy for him but God, I hate change! So, in the middle of our hot summer we will be moving into a brownstone apartment in Brooklyn but are keeping the house for when we need to be in the great outdoors (nothing beats Litchfield County).
I think the universe keeps trying to teach me the lesson to go with the flow!
Love the picture of your lake house. It looks like heaven!
Grace, I’ve always liked people who are willing to purchase an old house, to take on the task of maintaining it. I enjoy walking or driving through Pasadena for the aged craftsman homes. They are interesting, beautiful, and evoke another era. I live in an old home too, but a renovated one. I miss the original kitchen cabinets that were from the forties (1940s). The matching hutch (I think that is what it is called) remains. I’m keeping it.
I’m glad you are keeping the farmhouse and take care while moving in this hot weather.
Gloria
Thank you, Gloria! Yes, we are going to be very careful considering the heat. You would love our house. The kitchen still has the original wood siding from when it was a barn. It is very cool, and although I get annoyed its quirks at times, every time I arrive home I look at it and think, “I love my house!” : )
I love craftsman homes. Is yours a craftsman? I would keep the hutch as well! We have gotten most of our furniture for the apartment from a consignment shop- I love the older stuff, so interesting!
Hi Grace,
My place is not a Craftsman, more like a tract house built during or just after WWII. There’s a spacious Craftsman on the next block. The owner observed me ogling it while walking Lily Belle every evening, and upon learning of my layman’s interest in architecture, invited me inside for a tour.
I would love to have a place in NY AND a rural property. This is the real estate equivalent of having one’s cake and eating it too. I believe there is an expression, usually one of creativity, that conveys the same meaning, in every language. In Chinese it is “One cannot keep both the fish and the bear paw.” — Or something like it.
I see my new oncologist for a check up soon. I cheered the Supreme’s Court recent decision. One indeed learns to go with the flow. Take Care.
Gloria
Wow! You ladies are something, in fact your conversation brings the play “Grace and Glorie” to mind.
Gloria, I will be sending positive thoughts your way as you prepare to see your oncologist. We survivors are masters at going with the flow, aren’t we? Carol, your comment made me laugh. : )
As long as I keep romanticizing this idea of city and country living I will be fine. It’s when I start thinking thoughts such as “Who will clean the country house? Who will water the flowers?”, etc., that I start to think we are crazy. But a little dirt never hurt anyone, right? I love your Chinese saying, Gloria, it’s perfect!
Sorry, Ann, for hijacking your blog! But it is so nice to meet new and interesting people!
Been on vacation, and it has been so very hot in the midwest. Really bad for us. I told you so many times I have yard envy when I see your house, so pretty. But I do understand the whole downsizing. Where will the horses go?
Glad you have returned! Litchfield County is beautiful country with endearing quirky people. I just spent a weekend at a b and b in Norfolk and did some biking. It was heaven. Grew up on an old decrepit farm in Torrington. The trees and land formations and the granite with the lichen made me quite nostalgic. I live in the suburbs at this point. I miss space and fields. Enjoy your farmhouse.
I’ve been thinking about KC who used to comment here. I know she was expecting a baby, does anyone know if the baby has arrived?
If so, congratulations to KC and her husband.
Annie, I have been wondering about the same thing. KC, how are you? –wondering if my voice is echoing in the vastness of cyberspace.
Gloria
they had a healthy little baby girl!
Thanks, Lisa, that’s wonderful!
Thank you Lisa! Congrats to KC and hubby!
Gloria
Congratulations KC! So happy for you!
I am so happy that you aren’t selling the farmhouse. What in the world would Denis do without his Man cave/Ice rink??!! Also, I hate to say it but not too far out you may have a few grandkids that are going to LOVE coming for fantastic visits with you and Denis. It looks like such a magical place and who wants to give up a place like that?
By the way, please tell Denis that my whole family including me was upset that his character was killed off the Spiderman movie. We all wanted him to live!! It was SOOOO good! Happy Summer to you both
xxoo
Both my cousins and their spouses saw Spidy. My little cousin once removed enjoyed it tremendously. All of them enjoyed it as a fun summer movie. I’ve yet to see it. I’ve been watching classics such as “Raging Bull” and “Ran” directed by the great Akira Kurasawa.
Gloria
Hi Gloria- I personally loved it, as well as “Captain America” and “The Avengers”. All of them were super fun exciting movies. Captain America was very nostalgic, very 40s style with the costumes, etc. Loved it! The Avengers was just plain super packed with gusto. I love the classics too, but I have two boys ages 9 and 10 1/2
Enjoy your viewings!
I saw (surprised he was the guest) Denis on Jay Leno last nite. I fell asleep in the recliner, generally I do not go to bed so late. I’ve been listening to my little cousin rave about it, watching him spin webs in the living room, now I want to see it. How much energy does a 5 year old have!?
Gloria
Hello Ann, I would like to wish you all the best on your new book. I’m looking forward to the day when your new novel is published. Keep up the good work!
I love your blogs! I am also thrilled you are writing another book!
Glad you came back to write another interesting article about what happened to you. I was also busy writing short stories and getting ready for an upcoming family vacation…Looking forward to read more from you.