I only have one man in my life these days and it’s, this fella, Hank.

We made it official on Winter Solstice 2020 and have been working together to create a magical, healing, peaceful space ever since.

I’m not gonna lie, I was disappointed when I looked up at the ceiling from my bed my first full night here and asked, “So what’s your name?” And the name that came back was, “Hank.”

Animism doesn’t just extend to plants and rocks you know.

My Granny cottage, witch cottage, safe haven, HOME.

While I wanted a house in the woods I was practical enough to know that was probably not the best choice long term. Plus those places around here were out of my price range even before the real estate prices went skyward. Plus, plus, I wanted to be within an hour of my sons and their families, and close to work in case we had to go back to the office. Little places in the woods would have meant a LOT more driving.

Hank isn’t much to look at. He’s about 70 years old and on the scrawny side at just about 11,00 square feet. I’ve done quite a bit of work on him but he’s always in need of a SOMETHING. Just like you’d imagine a 70 year old named Hank would. Haha!

But you know what? I love it here. I feel safe for the first time – maybe in my whole life. I have a BIG studio, a cute little office full of plants for my work from home job, a back yard full of of flowers, raised vegetable beds, visiting birds, chipmunks, and squirrels. There is even a fenced yard for my hyper little dog, Tansy.

Maybe I’ll write more about the things I do around here as far as home maintenance and beautification – like I used to – but I also have become pretty private about such things the last 4 years. (The world, especially online, has gone bonkers, hasn’t it?) We shall see.

I’m getting back to my creative pursuits slowly but surely. I spend lots of time digging in the dirt, fixing things up, reading, and writing when I’m not working. It’s been a very healing time for me and I’m so thankful for my little peaceful oasis.

Where is your safe space? What makes it special to you?

PS I’m trying to figure out how to turn some of these ads off, but it’s taking me a minute. Bare with me, please?