April, first week

Hope you will take time to read the post that follows this as it was my column about National Library Week which is coming up.  Library Week is something we should celebrate with fireworks and blaring trumpets.  The freedom to read, to exercise our right to access to information is by far one of the greatest freedoms we enjoy.  It surpasses the right to bear arms hands down.  It builds up, rather than tears down.  It is mind expanding.  Celebrate!!
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    I wish I could change the pictures on my blog, but it looks pretty much the same.  There is snow on the ground tonight.  Not a lot, but enough to cover everything.  The ice is out on the River -- March 22nd, this year.  But otherwise we have had clouds and sunshine and bitterly cold winds.  The other day someone said it was -12 degrees windchill.  Cousin Phil in Perkins County South Dakota remarked about how cold it has been.  The wind blows right through you.
     Of course my other news is a new adventure.  I am selling my beloved house on Snyder.  Today I got the title for the lot I wanted and tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, I will walk the lot with the builder, a young man of great enthusiasm and one who has a vision for what I want, I think.  He is in his father's construction business although his father died some years ago.  He was an art major in college and has now translated that into architecture and construction in our small town.  We are very fortunate to have him back, raising his family here.  
            People ask if it will be a tiny house and my answer is, "No", a small house about 600 square feet.  The point is that I am getting out from under higher property taxes and other costs to living in a larger home, although my home is not large by any standards.  The other experience is down-sizing and as I told one friend it is not for the faint of heart.  I spent two months down-sizing and selling my parents' home when they moved in with me in 2002.  That was an entire house.  Fortunately I had good friends to help.  I have been working on this for the past four years but now I have to accelerate the pace.
         Many of you have gone through it in some form or another and it is a grieving process.  Most of what I have is part of a story -- my story.  And each item brings up a name or an event.  If I don't get rid of it others will.  This way I can give it to whomever I choose.  I am stubborn enough that I want to take charge of "my stuff".  
          When I moved into this house in 1997 I bought it because it was small and easy upkeep.  Over the past 20 years I have redone most of the house and the yard.  After four years of retirement and spending much more time in this house I have decided it is much more room that I want or need.  Hence the idea of selling and building a smaller living space.
              People have looked at the house and one couple in particular is especially interested.  I can't start building until my house is sold hence I am living in limbo, but it does give me more time to do thoughtful down-sizing and be hard on myself if it is something I have not used for a long time.
            Wish me well and hopefully I will have some more 'spring-like' pictures when next I share.