May 2, 2010. Dickie Creek Farm, Artemas, Pa. Down Sizing.

It was the last item needing a new home, so Saturday Freddie and Phyllis drove up to the farm bringing their trailer to store in our shed. They have moved, doing an age old practice of down-sizing. The apartment is large, a three bedroom, but not as large as their Potomac home, so they have sold a lot of goods on Craig's list and given away a lot more. After the move, a full week was spent donating objects that made the apartment feel too full. It was a big task, but now it is done and they are happy. The condominium will not allow a trailer although they will tolerate a motorcycle, so they will leave the trailer at our farm, then come to visit us at least twice a year when they trailer the bike to Florida for the winter.

Actually, Phyllis admitted yesterday that she discovered several objects she missed, so will now need to purchase in order to function properly. Now they are working with a contractor, adding shelves and extra storm windows, but in general they love their new home. Ever since we moved into our place in 1997 they realized that an apartment was in their future, and they would have bought a unit in our building, but our place will not allow motorcycles, so that was out. Also Freddie had a big workshop and he was not sure he could live without all his equipment, but finally, the decision was made, and they bought and moved, just like that. It was a huge job but now it is over. Freddie said yesterday that they were both exhausted for three weeks, but two days after all boxes were away and clothes in place, they both could not remember all the fuss. Their new place seemed like home.

Actually they arrived with a pair of cowboy boots for me, a lovely pair of candle sticks and two wonderful large heavy pots, all a welcome addition to the farm but just could not fit in their storage. Down-sizing has it's benefits, at least for me.