Every year, the folks at Merriam-Webster choose a Word of the Year. Can you guess the word for 2024? It was “Polarization.” Given the state of our nation, that’s not surprising. But it is disturbing. How did we get to this place? More importantly, how do we find our way out of this mess?
In mid-November, we seriously considered leaving the country. But the world is a small place, and turmoil seems to be everywhere. Plus, we love our home and community. So, we’re staying put for now and hoping that the 2025 Word of the Year will turn out to be something more positive.
Meanwhile, in the midst of this uncertain and surreal time, we’re doing our best to focus on the small ways in daily life where we can find peace and joy in this beautiful, flawed, precarious world.
Happy New Year, dear friends.
Life Post-Hurricane
Western North Carolina continues to heal from the ravages of Hurricane Helene. Some places look pretty much back to normal, while others may never recover.
Huge mountains of debris still line the roads of Western North Carolina. But expressions of gratitude are everywhere.
An enormous warehouse near our house served as a major distribution center for all of the goods that poured into our area in the aftermath of the storm. The generosity of people was heartwarming and uplifting. And I have never seen so much random stuff in my life. The tents, sleeping bags, propane heaters, shovels, warm jackets, and diapers were much-needed items. The old prom dresses and tutus, not so much. It took hundreds of volunteers and the National Guard to organize and distribute the donations.
The donated food was mostly weird. What I learned: If you want to most effectively help the victims of disasters, donate money to World Central Kitchen or other organizations that are set up to provide good meals or essential items to people.
With my friend Diane at the huge distribution relief center among mountains of diapers
We tried to pack boxes of appealing, healthy foods, but there was not much to choose from. There were a lot of saltines and Vienna sausages, lol.
Downtown Asheville looks normal…but is still very, very quiet
We were incredibly fortunate to have suffered no damage
Our long list of favorite fall hikes didn’t happen this year, not only because trails were closed, but because Eric is suffering from significant knee pain. Although he has been diligent with physical therapy and at-home exercises, hiking with any elevation gain is too painful right now.
Fortunately, we’ve been able to do some biking. We always enjoy the nearby Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of our favorites
Friends Are The Best Part Of Life
One of the joys of living in our tiny home community is the friends that we’re making.
With neighborhood friends at a local brewery
Not having a dedicated dining space (other than the kitchen bar) has been a drawback of tiny home living. In summer, we eat on the porch, which we enjoy. That doesn’t work in the colder months, and it has been the bane of my tiny home life experience.
I figured out that with minor rearranging, we can turn the sunroom/art studio into a dining room. My art desk makes a good dining table, and we use the dining chairs from the front porch.
We transformed our sun porch/art studio into a dining room for Thanksgiving shared with our friends Ron and Karla
I’m enjoying painting, which is something I never got around to during our years of full-time travels. In late October I was on the committee for our annual community art show, which was also a benefit for a local emergency shelter. It was fun and successful!
At our annual fall art show in the community center
And Now…
We left home on January 2nd for a three-month trip south, just in time to miss the winter storm. We will return at the end of March, just in time to enjoy the 100 spring bulbs we planted in the fall. That’s hopeful, don’t you think?
Our friend Marti sent us this photo of our tiny house in the snow
One of my goals for this year is to catch up on travel posts that I’ve been wanting to write for a very long time. First up will be finishing up our trip from last winter. Wow, the last year went by fast!
Such a good kitty
I’ll miss you in Gainesville this time around. I was there for Christmas and ended up with COVID, then a head cold so not a good start to 2025. Let’s hope you have a better time of it!
Yes, challenging times indeed! One of the things that gives me consolation is reading your posts for many years and being involved in your life, if only a very little bit. Thanks for persevering, and sharing.
Laurel, I just love seeing what a beautiful life you and Eric have crafted for yourselves. Thank you. I left the country years ago (2015) to travel the world, and now I live in Mexico full time. I’m so glad to not have to suffer the next four years, but I do hold my loved ones in my thoughts as you all navigate whatever the new normal will be. Community is everything.
I think we ‘like minded’ people should follow Jessica’s lead and head for the Mexican Border…are they allowing Americans in?
Loved everything you said and shared. Thank you my sweet wonderful cousin!!!
Always great to hear from you, we are all feeling the disjointed, but what brings me a peace is that we are American first, we make a difference and as we travel and meander we set the example. Hope this helps….. at the end of the day did you bring a smile, make that difference. It will help heal the heart.
Our guide from Columbia is coming in May, will head toBiggest Week with her. Great contacts and fun people. Big trip to New Zealand in Nov. so that probably will be our last hurrah!!!! Shoulder is healing but way slower than I had anticipated…I am there with Eric. Have an awesome PT which helps.
Peace for you both in the months ahead….we have been challenged before…and we will be again!!!! Enjoyed the heartfelt comments about Jimmy Carter, what a challenge he left for all of us. Together we rock!!!!!❤️❤️❤️
The balance of life…the good and the bad, the yin and yang. A reminder that friends and family make all the difference. Thanks for another inspiring message.
Excited for your art! How cool to be able to paint a bird and call it a self-portrait. :)
Yes it has been challenging. I have missed your posts and pictures. Thank you for sharing, I always enjoy hearing about your adventures!
It’s always interesting to see what sorts of foods get donated during disaster recovery, isn’t it? I’m now wondering what a saltine & Vienna sausage “sandwich” would taste like… Whatever the contents, I know the folks who benefitted from your hard work are very grateful.
Swamp Rabbit! Still loving that name, and this reminds me I need to beef up my bicycle paraphernalia for 2025. I’m glad to hear that Eric can still cycle. Is a knee replacement in the near future?
Happy to hear you’ve been able to get back to your painting and love your little chickadee-dee-dee! Can’t wait to hear about this current round of travels and to see those 100 bulbs a-poppin’ when you return.
Hugs to you both, scritches to Mags <3