Tiny House taking up a Big part of my life

So I lied: pictures are still forthcoming. Sorry.

It’s just when I’m at the property and working I’m very focused on getting things done in the small amount of time I have—and energy. I’ve been doing ALL the heavy lifting of moving by myself. Not trying to provoke a pity-party, it’s just about time and resources. My roommate leaves me her car when out of town, so for the past week I’ve been busily packing and hauling using a 4-door Nissan.

Obviously not everything is going to fit.

Yesterday morning in a hurry to get out the door and to my daughter’s in time for her to leave for work at a flower event in Lansing, as I was carrying a filing cabinet downstairs I felt something. A pang? A tear? Definitely a strike team of pain. It was almost like colors in front of my eyes. I set the thing down and said, oh boy.

I might need to slow down. But, then the other half of my brain reminded me that I NEEDED to take advantage of having the car. So, of course, I picked the metal filing cabinet back up and shoved it into the back bench seat.

All this to say, that by the time I got to their house and the baby began pushing a chair in circles around the kitchen—I had a meltdown. I put my head on the kitchen table and began to cry. Making it all the harder for my daughter to leave in the rain on her bike. I finally convinced her to go, that I’d be better. More words to buck up my own spirit than hers.

People have wondered (or maybe I’m imagining this) where I’ve been the past couple weeks—certainly not online or writing my stories or checking email or Facebook or reading the news. Or talking on the phone during an after-dinner walk. Lately I’m lucky even to eat dinner. Most or all of my attention has been on this Tiny House—which has sucked up a major part of my autumn in Michigan life.

Yes, I do see you little crimson shrub, stark against the blue sky or in tandem with the yellow-orange-leafed maple beside it. I do see you black squirrel and deer families as you pause in your own frenzy for one second.

Hopefully, none of us will get run over.

[x] desk built, filing cabinet in place, though all the stuff from desk and cabinet is still in boxes
[x] all electrical, though the desk lamp I bought off FB marketplace is not working
[x] bigger kitchen appliances in place, though apartment fridge needs to be leveled
[x] most of kitchen utensils moved over, though I wonder why I have no bowls or can-opener
[x] bathroom nearly ready for maiden voyage of composting toilet
[x] collected books in place, though the ones I wrote in boxes still in basement need to find a storage home for the time when I begin again to do workshops, conferences, bookselling events
[ ] moving over camping/biking stuff in bins, a lot, but might be better consolidated
[ ] build plant stand, move the considerable amount of planters and gardening equipment I’ve acquired since this past spring

I promise (maybe) pictures next time.