My husband will always have a place to come home to, even though in the next few years Dallas will flood the land where he grew up and it will become a reservoir for the ever-growing metroplex. His folks have already bought land a few miles away but it means leaving a home they’ve built from scratch over thirty years ago. Memories of their boys growing up, Christmas trees and asparagus growing in the front yard.
Dairy cows then cattle. I’ve been in the family less than 10 years and will cry when they say goodbye to the house and acreage there. There’s a solid history there and family nearby. But one son has moved a few hours away, and the other, my dear husband, we move more often.
My parents split late in life, but we always moved every few years due to Dad’s work. I know the properties I was once attached to, but that’s what they are. They’re not homes anymore. Mom died nearly two years ago and Dad travels the world. There is no home for me to go to.
But my husband’s grandmother agreed years ago to be mine, and Jim’s parents and family are wonderful and provide a stable base for us. I contribute food, recipes, caring for anyone who visits or is in residence and being there is a retreat of sorts. Jim helps out with some farm chores while he’s there and his mother and I cook.
Where do we go from here? A realtor knocked on the door this morning with a tempting offer to buy within a few miles of where we live now. All I’ve done is promise to see it in the next few weekends. But could this be home? Could we actually buy a place here and retire someday? That remains to be seen.
Right now we like our turnkey place with a 45-day “out” clause because of the economy being what it is and has been the last couple of years. We do miss all our “stuff” in storage half a country away. I haven’t been able to look up a cookbook from my extensive collection for 18 months now! When I want ideas and proportions for a new marinade I have to check online. Oh, I made a delicious rub last year and got it online, it included smoked paprika. Can I find it again? No way.
Someday we’ll settle down, live in a nice home with all our stuff. Right now we’re more concerned with trying to get away for a long weekend as Jim has only taken one day off this year. It’s OK parents, we’ll grow up someday. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 
Well I made a vow when we built where we did, that I wasn’t moving for at least 20 yrs. (& I’m now @ 18 yrs & counting)
As to whether or not it’ll be my retirement home, that’s yet to be seen – but as long as I can haul feed & pitch hay, it’s where I want to be!
And you have a fantastic place and site. Zoe (our dog) doesn’t know quite what to do when the earth shakes behind us and there’s a cow and horse following us on the front lawn looking for breakfast! Dee