Small World

It’s such a small world isn’t it? I had a few women over last Saturday night for potluck and card games. Karen, the artist and gallery owner I met back in January said she had a friend who lived in the neighborhood and if I didn’t mind, she would give my name to her. Her friend is also a gardener and she thought we might have that in common. The following day, while I was working in the yard, her friend came over, carrying a plant gift for me. She lives on the next street over. It was apparent that she wasn’t from the south. She retired and moved here a few years ago from Massachusetts. I commented that I knew a few people there. It turns out that we know the same people in Newburyport! Amazing isn’t it?

And that’s not all. Yesterday I went to a networking group and as everyone went around the room introducing themselves, one woman just moved here yesterday. And guess where she is from originally? My hometown. So, after the meeting we talked. Turns out she remembers meeting me ONCE about 12 – 13 years ago. A friend of mine at the time was a close friend of a friend of hers. She particularly remembered my son and asked about him. She moved away from Chattanooga too, not long after I did and has been living in various places including Brazil. She said she has always wanted to live in Asheville and since she now teaches online courses, was able to finally do it. If you were impressed with me getting out and meeting people quickly, think of her. She’s out networking within 24 hours of moving. She obviously has this moving into a new town bit down to a routine.

So, I the hypothesis that everyone in the world can be reached through a short chain of social acquaintances (six degrees of separation) is true – at least for me. It also proves, once again, just how interconnected we all are at some deep level.

Since I’ve been in the yard working so much, many of my neighbors have been coming over and introducing themselves to me. The young couple who live two doors down brought me spinach from their organic garden. They are also incorporating permaculture and organic techniques in their landscape and garden. The older gentleman who lives on the next street over, but was mowing his empty lot that runs over onto my street is the total opposite. He smoked a cigarette as he filled me in on the history of community. He’s lived there for 30 years so he’s seen it all. The older couple her live on the street behind me drove by and stopped. They are considering selling their house and two empty lots behind me. Their children want them to come live closer to them where they can take after them better as their health begins the fail. We agreed that we should talk before the sell to anyone else – it might be a good idea for me to buy it to keep the developers out of my back door and give me rental property. They aren’t in a huge hurry and until I sell my NYC apt. I can’t do anything anyway. Other neighbors have just walked by and welcomed me. They all admire my house. They are pleased, as I am, that it was a well chosen design for the property.

I am feeling less overwhelmed as I let go of the need to see everything done immediately. I am becoming more satisfied in my empty space knowing that it actually best done this way. I realize now that if I had to deal with organizing furniture along with dealing with the landscape I would probably just pack it up and leave. As it is, I am getting things accomplished in increments.

The other exciting things in my life are that I have a contract on my apartment. The buyer has to be approved by the board, but I don’t anticipate any problems. So, I should have that wrapped up by the end of June. And the other is my new job. Or should I say my new way of earning my living. I left the printing company when I had an agreement to work with an advertising agency here to handle their website development for their clients. We have agreed on between 16 – 24 hours a week. The best part is they are paying closer to the earning power I had in NYC. They have already asked (I’ve been doing this for 3 weeks now) if I would be willing ot do more. I turned them down because I am committed to a new website for a long time client in NYC. I have developed a schedule where I have my mornings for my work and necessary appointments. I go into their office from 1:30 until 5:30 in the afternoon. I am able to easily handle what they’ve needed so far, so now I don’t go home feeling like I’ve been put throw the wringer. Instead of wishing for Friday everyday, I’m surprised that it’s the end of the week. It seems so long since I’ve had a work schedule and income I really can embrace that part of me is afraid that something is wrong. Why is it when something goes right I have this response. That’s where I think my tiny bit of knowledge about Buddhism helps. It reminds me not to become so attached to the outcome whether life difficult or great. A certain amount of non-attachment and equilibrium is needed to be truly happy. I’m working on it.

I think that’s all for this morning. I started my Sunday delivery of the NYT this morning and I’m anxious to check it out. The Bean Street guitarist is strumming and my Southern Breakfast of eggs and biscuits are being served. Hope all is well with you and I especially hope I hear from you soon.