Winter Writing Wrap Up
Greetings this first day of Spring!
My husband and I are celebrating the change of seasons with the sale of our house today. It wasn't just a house, it was a creative adventure and a major component of our livelihood. We bought the house from a bank, and transformed it from dated, badly designed, and in disrepair into a beautiful, functional, comfortable home. Then I staged it (successfully, since our buyers purchased much of our furniture), listed, marketed and sold it myself—I'm a licensed real estate broker in WA—it's been a busy few months.
My husband likes to say that we "let the home speak to us" rather than impose our will upon it, or simply update exactly as is, the way many quick "flippers" do. That process is a lot like writing—finding the best structure for an idea, searching for the flow of words that convey meaning in a way that's accessible and welcoming.
Transformation (like revision), is a slow and messy process, and in the midst of it, surrounded by tools and piles of materials (and previous drafts), it's difficult to see how the finished product will emerge, and hard to remember the starting point. It's rewarding, and helpful for future projects, when the work is "finished" (is anything ever really finished?) to look back and see just how far we've come, especially with something as tangible as a home.
Our Live-In Project House Listing
This was our lead listing photo. Though it's sold, you can see our listing here.
Leaving the Key Peninsula
I leave "The Key" thankful for writers, artists, community activists, and many others who share their gifts with the community.
I leave especially thankful for my neighbors, who put up with a yard full of tools and lumber as we renovated our home and appreciated our contribution to the neighborhood health.
My local paper, the Key Peninsula News, didn't have room to run my farewell column in the upcoming April edition, so I've published it on my blog.
Have You Seen The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?
Years ago I joined Amazon Prime for the two-day shipping. And it's fabulous in our business, quickly getting tools and parts for repairs and renovations we can't find in stores. But in the last six months or so, I've really been appreciating my Prime streaming video, especially Amazon's award-winning Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
The show, about a young woman finding her identity and embracing her creativity, is one of my favorite in years. I invite you to read my thoughts on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Hidden Identity" for "Good Letters" here, and to tune in if you're a Prime member.
Bless the true thought, the right word,
the flash of insight, the brilliant image,
the creative genius pouring forth
and shining bright from each one of us.