I'm getting ready to leave. I'm purging my home of all the clutter I don't need. I've given my landlady ( the best I've ever had) my notice and she has put the house up for sale. Everyone is asking me why I am leaving and where I am going. I didn't plan this and the plan has and is evolving. Originally I planned to meet my sister in Nakusp B.C. in mid May to clean up my late uncle's house and put it on the market for sale. We thought it might take a couple of months, then we planned a memorial service in Banff where we all grew up and where there is a 'Beattie' family graveyard plot. I have not seen nearly enough of my daughter Terra, who lives near Olds, Alberta and planned to spend some time with her. It's time I met her horse. I'm also really looking forward to spending some time with my sister, Sandy. Then in August my oldest daughter Michelle is having her second baby. Michelle and her family are living in Pennsylvania (she married an American). Madeline was born last summer so they will be 13 months apart. So I told her I would help her out for a month or so. So since I would be away around 5 months, it didn't make sense to be paying rent, plus I needed the $ for travelling. I needed the car to get around once I got to B.C. So I planned to drive out with my dog .
A lot has changed since then. The neighbors in Nakusp have made an offer on my uncle's house so my sister has gone to take care of all that. I am organizing the memorial service so just have to get to Banff for June 20th or so. I really feel the need of another adventure, so since I don't need to get there right away, I'm taking my tent and my art supplies and will stop and paint my way across the country. I really don't enjoy camping anymore but just in case I can't find a dog friendly motel. If I start to run out of money I will have to get to Terra's faster.
The other thing that has changed is that Michelle, her husband Troy, baby Madeline and the new baby (Penny) are planning on leaving for Africa as soon as they can get a passport for the new baby! They did this last summer, Madeline went to Africa when she was a week old! Troy works in Uganda.
So I will not spend as long as I planned in Pennsylvania. My paintings are hanging at the Greystone Grill in Constance Bay and the the Herb Garden outside of Almonte so I must come back to deal with them at the end of the summer. My daughter Nicky and my grand daughter Charleaze are here in Constance Bay so I will definitely be back. I just don't know where I will live. Kanata? Ottawa? Constance Bay? B. C.? Alberta? Who knows, I'm sure things will unfold as they should. It is so freeing not to own a house!
There is also a feeling of insecurity to be homeless. I am leaving behind so many good friends and wonderful people! And I have worked hard to find a place in the art community in this area, I just might have to come back to this area....
I will try to blog now and then on my journey so watch for my posts if you are interested.
