Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Summer of Discontent

They say you can never go home again. But, there's always a loophole in pretty much everything people swear to be true.

You most certainly can go home again. March right up there and pound on the front door! Sure! The new home owners will probably call the cops. But, what do you care? With any luck, you'll be handcuffed in the living room - so you'll get a glimpse of the new decor and decide if you approve.


The easier loophole is if you happen to own two homes.

Back in the dark ages of 2002.. I made the smartest dumb move one could ever imagine. I purchased a second home 3 miles outside the Park City city limits. It was zoned for horses. (Hey!) It was on this lovely street called Old Ranch Road. It was the answer to my dreams ~ and later on, my nightmares. 


You see... this is a freakin' boom town. Within a year of moving out to the country (?), I had 47 new neighbors (measures 100+ now.) And, as of last summer it was those 'neighbors' who started giving me the heebie jeebies.


Back when I was a corporate drone, lunchtime was networking time. Thankfully, I didn't kill myself during that chapter of my life.

Instead, I got outta that mess, redefined my life, and my chosen lunch partner. Ridding myself of odd co-workers in favor of my horse.

We'd saddle up every day 'round noon and do a quick little ride across the meadow and up the high hill. It got to the point where she'd stop the second she'd hear my cellphone ring. Drop her head, munch on some grass and let me do the freelance work that pays the bills.

UNTIL.

That fateful day last summer. When we saddled up, rode out the back gate and encountered a Private Trail No Trespassing sign - posted by my beloved neighbors who live in Mountain Ranch Estates.

Isn't that rude? Blocking off access to the only trail where my horsie and I can play. Geez! What type of people would take issue with two women riding their horses through a wildflower meadow? 

So, I'm mad. Mad as a hatter. Mad ALL summer long. Mad enough that I was in no mood to blog. Because, you see, I'm MAD!!!!

I guess you'd call it that proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. The traffic. The noise. The lack of privacy. Feeling as if I'm on public display whenever I'm in the front yard, weeding the gardens.

And, now turf wars over who gets to enjoy the wide open spaces.

It was all adding up to an unhappy affair. Wrecked the whole summer. But, what's a gal to do?

Here's the thing about life:
Answers always come. They are rarely the answers we want and sometimes we'd prefer not to hear them. But, they do come. And, if you are sad, then, at some point, you must listen.

Mine came in the form of a surprise phone call. The tenants in my house in town were planning to leave. I did what I always do.. make a list of fixer upper projects, post a sign that the joint is available for rent. But, then! I had a marvelous revelation.

Bye bye wildflowers.
HELLO ENGLISH GARDEN.
The one I planted 12 years ago.

So, I moved. Back to town. Where you'd expect it to be noisy and hectic but it's quiet and private and ever so civilized! I'm loving it. Been here a week and already planted 100 spring flower bulbs. It's also higher elevation. So let's just see what happens. Come Summer.

* The Summer of Discontent is a nod to my favorite author: John Steinbeck. Our Winter of Discontent should be on everyone's reading list. {Just sayin...}

Follow Me on Pinterest

12 comments:

Honey and Me said...

Hey Kate! Love your garden photos! We are sort of about to make the same move as you. Leaving our Shack on the Hill and moving to my hometown. We'll be living in our RV though and t's all to be closer to our grown kids and grandkids. Curious about your horses though. What happens to them while you are living in town? We retired our 2 lovely boys last spring. They are now living as 'wild' horses in a reserve. Still miss them so much though. Take care. Sue

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks, Sue! Love the idea of placing older horses in a reserve. What a wonderful idea. My horses are boarded just outside of town, but it's weird not seeing them every day. Good luck with your move! Living in an rv is on my bucket list for when I finally get up the nerve to sell this house...

Rilly said...

Missed your blogs this summer, wondered what happened to you and sure sorry you ended up with such thoughtless, selfish neighbors. Glad you've achieved a happy resolution. Look forward to a few winter blogs. :)

Marguerite said...

Kate, good for you for making your situation better. That must have been difficult but it's obviously worked well. I am sorry though for what happened and I sympathize. Our rural living is starting to erode as well and I'm not sure what will come of it. You're very right to point out the decisions aren't always easy but life changes and we must with it I suppose.

Bonnie K said...

The same happened here. I used to be able to walk, atv, jeep, snowshoe, or run for miles in any direction. Now there are fences, locked gates and NO TRESPASSING signs everywhere. I have to go to town to run. I used to enjoy seeing families pass our place on adventures. It made me feel good. Sometimes they would stop and visit making my life richer. I don't understand walls. Sorry it has also happened to you. Enjoy town life.

RhubarbLady said...

I've missed your blogs too! I've just been in the background but I found you through my cousin, Eric Canfield. I'm sorry about the private trail. Looking at their map I don't see why they couldn't share. http://mountainranchestates.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/MRE-Trail-Map-2013.pdf
But on the flip side I am looking forward to the English Garden and blossoming bulbs! We just bought a new home and I don't dare plant anything until we see what come up on its own this next year. I assume your animals came with you and I look forward to hearing more about them too!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks, Rilly! I enjoy keeping tabs on your shenanigans via Facebook. :)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hey Marguerite;
Yes it's hard to cope with so much 'progress.' But we need to roll with the punches...

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Bonnie!
I'm with you. I don't get that need for fencing people out. I always loved the fact that bikers and runners would call out a compliment for my flowers as they raced by... the foot traffic was always a joy.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks Rhubarb! And, congrats on your new home. I'll be sharing seeds next harvest, plz let me know if you want some goodies. :)

KC said...

What? Moved? This is a surprise but hope it all works out for you. I hope Bad Dog and the kitties are adjusting as well as you are.

Unknown said...

Gosh, I stop reading blogs for 9 months and look what happens? Kate moves back into town. Sheesh. And my reason for not reading blogs, or writing in my own blog? We decided to move too, and the shock of leaving my beloved garden of 38 years paralyzed me into inaction. I am coming out of it now, and the move into the new house is only 2 months away. Yikes. So fun to get back to my dose of Kate and I look forward to hearing and seeing all about your new/old garden. Change happens