
d“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
Albert Einstein
I’m not sure how I’m feeling these days. I was thinking maybe the word surreal fit. So I Googled (it’s a verb right?) the definition of surreal and got this: having the qualities of surrealism. Fat lot of good that did me.
Then I Googled the definition of influx, but this definition didn’t fit either: an arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things. So I dropped the “in” and found that flux is defined as: the action or process of flowing or flowing out. That was getting closer, but not quite hitting the proverbial nail on the head.
Transition was up next: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. That came pretty damn close, so I decided I’d take a little bit of flux and a little bit of transition; put them together and label myself as living in a state of transitional flux. It works. We are in a state of transitional flux. I like it. I’m tired, but I like it.
I calculated today that in 36 years of togetherness, Abi and I have bought, lived in, remodeled and sold six homes. Abigail’s is/was #6. She will be the last. That averages out to a major move every six years in our thirty-six years of togetherness. I think that ought to do it. Never say never, but I’m saying it’s highly unlikely Abi will ever convince me to buy another home and/or another business. It’s all been good, but I’m over it.
Selling #6 has been civil and calm and straightforward, but it has also been quite the challenge as we sold six months ago and we are just now nearing the finish line. Everything happens for a reason, but sometimes I wish the reason would hurry up just a bit. Did I mention I’m tired? Selling #6 has also opened the door to probably the biggest transitional flux we’ve ever taken on. Not to sound overly dramatic, but we are in fact completely changing our lives. See, transitional flux. It works. We are changing from one state to the other (literally and figuratively) and we are in the process of flowing out.
We are changing gears. We’ve done everything we set out to do. No brag, just fact. And now we find ourselves at the threshold of a new and different lifestyle. For the first time in our lives we have no definitive plan. We do not own a home, nor do we own a car(s). Nor do we even own bicycles. A bed, a table w/chairs and a grandfather clock; that’s the extent of our furniture holdings.
A Big Yellow Turtle
Like a big giant yellow turtle (is there such a thing?) we will carry – or drive – what we have in a big yellow 12′ truck across this vast country. We have never before lived on the east coast. I’m pretty sure the humidity will slay me. Once again we will be living in an apartment. We will watch our son and daughter-in-law build their life in the their first home. And we will travel. We will live simply. And, we will simply live. I couldn’t be more excited and more eager to begin this new chapter. It’s transitional flux.
So even though we sold our bicycles, to keep our balance we will keep moving forward… with 2 1/2 weeks of transitional flux left to go.
It may sound odd to congratulate you for being tired, but wow, you are tired from moving forward. That can’t be a bad thing.
I remember when Dan and I sold/gave away everything to move overseas. It was all a little scary, but getting rid of all that “stuff” was incredibly freeing. (Who knew that would happen?) Have you found the same thing?
Linda Bibb recently posted…Panama to Colombia: Crossing the Darien Gap on Foot
Yes, Linda, we have found that unloading is very freeing. Also, we’ve had nearly 4 years living in a very small apartment so we’ve learned to live small as well. It’s all good!
Patti, Good luck. Jim and I will end up on the East coast eventually. Connecticut. It is my mother’s home. Flux can be a good thing!

Corinne recently posted…Alberta’s Wildlife
Thanks Corinne – Maybe one days are paths will cross on that east coast!
Patti
I do hope you keep blogging. You have a thoughtful way of showing just what’s going on with you (and Abi), on the inside and outside. I love reading your blog. You are a lovely
writer. No doubt about it.
Wow, Sandy, you made my day! Thanks so much for your kind words, and no worries, I’m just getting warmed up!
What an exciting time, even if it is exhausting! I found the weeks before we left to travel very cleansing and liberating (although we were only packing up a small flat, not an entire home/b&b). Does it feel nice to get rid of most of your material things? One of the saddest things for Andrew was selling his bike, your picture at the bottom reminded me of that! I’m super-impressed with all you two have managed to achieve so far, six homes/businesses – that’s incredible!

Amy recently posted…Natural Wonders of Taiwan
It actually does feel really good, Amy, and liberating is a good word for it. We did a major downsize when we moved from California to Oregon and we took it even further for this move. We are down to only that which means the most to us, and the most needed. Thank you for your continued support and friendship and when you make it to the US and find yourself in Washington, D.C., you know who to call!
Believe when I say you will love it. There are ups and downs in a move as dramatic as yours but you are continuing to explore life and all it has to offer and that is the exciting part. I wish you much luck and happiness in your continuing journey. Keep smiling.
Thanks so much, Diane. Abi and I both greatly appreciate your friendship and support, and we’re thankful our paths crossed in Ashland. 🙂
To live simply/simply live sounds a great plan, guys. Best of luck with it. Enjoy the east side.

Gran Canaria Local recently posted…Hotel Madrid
Thanks so much – we are really looking forward to the next adventure!
When you’re a traveller, as you are, change is a joy!

You don’t fear it, you embrace it and love the ride –
I can well understand your excitement as the clock ticks down to take-off time and you step out into your next adventure –
Looking forward to tagging along via your blog 😉
Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted…Signs of My Time in the GemFields
Thanks so much, Linda. I do very much embrace change and I see this next chapter as one of the most exciting because it’s full of so many unknown options. I appreciate you traveling along with us – via the blog.
Congratulations on transitioningly fluxing. I am wishing you and Abi all the best as you move into this next phase of your lives. Maybe we’ll even have the chance to meet IRL if you’ll be hanging out on the east coast some. Safe travels—literally and figuratively and every other way 😉

Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…My Boomer Baby: Meet Mr. Excitement
Transitioningly fluxing ~ love it! And I’m fairly confident will find ourselves in Philly at some point soon. Thanks for the good wishes.