Is it time to move?

Yesterday I got together with a friend in Waverly to have breakfast, pick up some equipment I had lent, and visit her new managed colony that arose when a group of cats suddenly showed up under her house this past month.

I really got a glimpse of how isolated life had become for me, to the point of becoming crippling to the work I want to do. We stopped first at Tomossos's on the golf course, which turned out not to serve breakfast on Saturdays, but whose staff Deb knew by name and who probably would have opened the place up for lunch early for her had we asked. We headed to downtown Waverly to eat at Becky's Diner instead, where people constantly stopped by to say "hi." Then it was on over to the Red Door Cafe--a project of the Open Door Mission in Owego. (Here is their Facebook page)

I asked if they had wireless. Yes indeed they do. Once again, Debra knew everyone by name.

Now, let's be truthful, even if I moved into a small town, I would not be a "knows everyone by name" person. First of all, I have to say the name of every new person I meet aloud three times to have any hope of remembering it. Second of all, I don't have Debra's balance of friendliness, grace, and innate competence. I am a pretty good presenter, but that's not my real side.

Nonetheless, it was clear by just one morning that by living in the country I was missing something I enjoy very much, and that is being part of a community of people who meet regularly by chance, not by arrangement.

Because NYS just hasn't been able to get its ass in gear to make a decision about the natural gas situation, I've been sitting here frittering away my money because I haven't been sure if I should stay or go. I got out of my gas lease because it didn't protect the property, but that also meant not taking the money that might have kept things afloat. I could help a lot more people without the constant stress of trying to pay my bills, and caring for all of this property, if I lived in a smaller house with no land. I'd be closer to people interested in helping out. Yes, I'd probably have more people knocking on my door to help, but if we get this spay/neuter fund going, there would be a network and funding to assist them.

There's a big difference between 58 acres, a huge barn, a huge house, and something like this.

It will take a long while to sell this place, and there's work that needs to be done whether I stay or not. But basically the decision has been made to sell, unless some miracle comes along (a good sound gas lease with good state oversight). Cat rescue will still continue. It may even continue far better than before.

It just won't be here. My dream of a beautiful facility along the creek will need to be given up, but you know, there are other ways to achieve a similar dream that may in fact be more achievable and do more good.