THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 - WANDERLUST - PART III

 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 - WANDERLUST - PART III

This week I’ve been looking at moving.  I’m single, age 75, and (at least in theory) could move anyplace on the planet. (**Slight caveat - I haven’t renewed my passport in my new name).

Yesterday I looked at bigger moves - Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Germany.  Mexico and Costa Rica are significantly less expensive, and Costa Rica has better health and a better cost-of-living.  But both Mexico and Costa Rica would require learning Spanish.  Hawaii is domestic but expensive.  Germany would be nice - but also expensive.

So, how about living elsewhere in the “mainland” - the 48 contiguous states?

Realizing that I have biases but also realizing that I am (or I think I am) flexible I “could” live just about anywhere in the United States.

There are some places that just aren’t in my top set.  I don’t think I like Florida - hurricanes, alligators, no mountains.  California is not on my list - but there are places that could be livable for me (northern California).  Reading California near Mount Shasta is about 100,000 people and could be nice - or Crescent City California on the coast.

I liked Ashland Oregon (which isn’t too far from Reading or Crescent City).  Four seasons, reasonable climate, nice people, not too large and has the facility that I would like.  Klamath Falls Oregon is about the same size (and not on Interstate 35).  

Washington State has some nice features as well.  

I like the concept of North Carolina (especially west into the Blue Ridge / Appalachian Mountains. There would be hiking and a reasonable climate.  

I lived in Connecticut for 13 years and I enjoyed it, but I think Connecticut would be an expensive state for a retired person.  Vermont and New Hampshire are beautiful - but maybe not so beautiful in the winter.  (Can I get a summer rental there?)

I don’t know enough of Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky.  I’m sure they would be nice.  

I really liked western Wisconsin when I taught there.  Prairie du Chien or Lacrosse might be a good place (or Plattsville, Lancaster).  I could move back to my home state of Iowa - but I think I’d prefer more northeast Iowa (Dubuque, Maquoketa).  

I liked South Dakota for the eighteen years I was there.  Nebraska is a clean, healthy, state - although I’d like to be away from Lincoln or Omaha.  Grand Island is the home to my estranged son and family - and I’d love to be reconciled to them.  

Parts of Colorado would be okay.  

There is an old story: (must be old, no cars!!!)

A wise man sat on a big rock outside a town.  

A stranger came up and asked him “What kind of people are in this town?”

The wise man asked him, “What kind of people were in your previous town?”

The stranger answered “Mean, terrible people, they were always complaining and fighting.  They were hateful and greedy.”

The wise man thought and answered, “Oh my friend, that is exactly the same kind of people in this town.  You will not find peace here.”

The stranger moved on.

Later in the day, another man came by and asked the wise man ``What kind of people are in this town?”

The wise man asked him, “What kind of people were in your previous town?”

The stranger answered “Wonderful people, salt of the earth.  They would do anything for you.  Loving, friendly, nice people.  If my business hadn’t shut down I’d still be there.”

The wise man thought and answered, “Oh my friend, that is exactly the same kind of people in this town.  You will find fantastic people here.  You will have peace here. Please do consider this as your new town”.

*****

The morale of the story is that our attitude determines the outcome.  I think I could fit in and make a difference in almost any town.  There are very small idiocracies that are in my brain.  

*****

Another story.

The business a person lived in was closed and there weren't any appropriate jobs in a town.  The man decided he could live just about anywhere and got a map of the United States and some darts.  A friend blindfolded him and he threw a dart.

And, that is why the man is living behind his refrigerator!!!  (He was a lousy dart player and didn’t even hit the map but the dart went behind the refrigerator).

*****

Wanderlust is sometimes good.  I think I’ll be good in Texas for the time being and do more analysis (and prayer).  

And, take time for some trips to some places that could be interesting!!!

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © NOVEMBER 17, 2022