Next Chapter

The book pictured in the hero image is probably a fitting representation of where I am in my own blink-of-an-eye lifespan — perhaps even a generous one. I’m 47, soon to be 48, and preparing to leave California, where I was born and have spent most of my life, for Texas, where I’ve been fortunate enough to find a place to homestead and finally call my own.

My daughter is there as well, and while we remain estranged, I still take some comfort in knowing I’ll at least be closer to her… for now.

The past year — especially these last several months — has been a constant source of anxiety as I searched for somewhere to truly be. It began with my first cross-country road trip to Pennsylvania a year ago, followed by an exhausting coast-to-coast search for a place to land. Along the way, my hopes for another property in Texas were dashed at the last minute, only for me to eventually find something that feels even better suited to who I am and what I want from life. Time will tell how true that proves to be… fingers crossed.

For better or worse, rural West Texas is now home.

No Sleep

Even though the details of the move are finally coming together, I still can’t seem to get a good night’s sleep. Next week’s move will be the largest I’ve ever undertaken, and the cost of everything right now feels astronomical. Gas prices are high, everyday expenses are high, and the general uncertainty in the world only amplifies it all.

There’s certainly relief in finally moving my belongings out of storage and beginning this next chapter, but the financial weight of doing so is impossible to ignore.

Beyond the move itself, there’s still an enormous amount of work ahead before this homestead feels livable — before I can truly feel like I’ve arrived or finally relax. That’s simply the reality of building something on a limited budget: progress comes slowly, piece by piece, one project at a time.