"Leaves are falling all around. It's time I was on my way.” This Led Zepplin song, “Ramble On” so reflects my mood as I start to leave Maryland.
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| Pleasant Hills after the fall |
And words like “Sometimes I grow so tired, but I know I've got one thing I got to do... sing my song.”
My song is in my novels where characters chase the dream, fight the odds and help the helpless. Writing connects me to the wild spirit in my heart and when I listen to Plant singing, “Gotta find the queen of all my dreams,” I know just what he means. When that queen, that wild heart drives my writing I know the work is good, that readers can share the emotion clear and simple.
Plant sings, “Mine's a tale that can't be told, my freedom I hold dear.” I have always believed in personal freedom and rugged individualism. In today’s political environment I keep some of my beliefs to myself. But I want to be financially sound, debt free, and at least moderately successful as an author.
Wonderful events like the Washington Post’s August 29 Review of “Racing from Death” help me to believe. Accolades like, “If you miss the late Dick Francis’s racetrack thrillers, you’ll be intrigued by Sasscer Hill’s Racing From Death.”
But the key to success is to be prolific. I must write well and plentifully. Having two herniated dics and an office in an attic up four flights of stairs do not lend themselves to this goal. Being constantly worried about my absurdly expensive homeowners policy, the huge utility bills caused by twelve foot ceilings, and the high Maryland property taxes just ain’t cutting it.
After the 2011 earthquake, the 2008 market crash, the gutting of Maryland horse racing in this state by the legislators in Annapolis who continue to raise taxes, it is time to be on my way. Staying in our beautiful historical home without the funds to keep Pleasant Hills going makes no sense. Time for hard choices that will lead to a less stressful life in a smaller town and smaller home where I can write novels that will give readers a quality place to visit when they want to step away from the hardships of life.
24 comments:
What a hard decision, Sasscer. I wish you well on your new venture! Leaving is hard, but every move opens new possibilities. I hope yours are plentiful!
What a hard decision, Sasscer. I wish you well. Leaving is difficult, but a move opens up new oppertunities. I hope the best for you.
Gosh, this makes me sad to read. But, you know, I've left a LOT of places and have never wanted to leave any of them. Life goes on and--sometimes--it's even for the better. Just keep writing, girl!
(Now we'll see if this double posts as all mine are doing today.)
A poignant post. I wish you luck in your new home.
It makes me cry that I will never again walk up the backdoor steps into your warm and cozy kitchen and dine in your awesome dining room. There aren't enough words to tell you how important you and Daniel have been to my life through the years. But, reality is reality. I will cherish my memories and be forever thankful to all the kindness and support you and Daniel have shown over the years and over the miles. Hugs.
A new chapter is always exciting. A place you love, filled with memories, doesn't mean it's perfect for you anymore. Hard to let go, but harder to stay.
May your new home soon rival the old one in love and life and memories.
Peggy, you got it just right when you said hard to go but harder to stay. No doubt all of you have been here in one fashion or another.
I can feel your heartbreak, Sasscer. But after the fall, you'll find your equilibrium and perhaps, your stairway to heaven. We are what we write, and if moving helps you, paring down and getting rid of the extraneous, is essential. Have peace!
It takes courage and wisdom to know when to move on.....and guts to do it. You are demonstrating all of those things now and will be the better for it-even If you don't fully believe that now.
Best wishes with the move, Sasscer. Here's hoping you end up with a wonderful new writing room that brings you years of joy -- as well as many more good books!
Lynda,
What a tremendous change in your life. But you're resilient and tough, and you know what you have to do. I can only imagine how hard it must be to give up your home. But you'e doing the right thing, and you'll have a clear head to keep on writing. Good luck to you!!
Sasscer, what a bittersweet post. It sounds as if you've made a very difficult decision--but the right one for you. I hope your new home has the perfect writing room. Wishing you many happy years of less stress and more books!
Thanks for all your supportive posts!
Actually I don't know how hard this is going to be yet. I'm in denial. I can't think too much about it until the buyer's financing is approved. Then, I'll know this is really happening.
The thing is if the sale goes through, all the stress and worry about being overextended will be gone. We will have only one air conditioning unit instead of two. County gas instead of two 500 gallon oil tanks in the basement and $580 a month on oil!
My head will be clear to write good stories. The physical pain of toooo many staircases and a cold house in the winter will be gone. We are only looking at small, single story homes. With a garage and sidewalks! Here, there is no garage and only dirt paths! It is so time to be gone.
You'll be a smashing success anywhere! You'll carry your heart and your talent to your new place and your presence will be a breath of fresh air for your new friends and neighbors!
Sending best thoughts for your move and writing, Sasscer!
Ed Lynskey
It's always sad to leave a place you love. I know because I did it over 20 years ago. Now I can't imagine leaving this place. I'm sure you'll find th perfect place to move to.
It's always hard to leave a place you love. I know. But I'm sure you'll find a good place to move to and one you'll settle into and be happy. I know I did.
Having spent nights in your beautiful home, I can only imagine how you feel. It's a lovely, serene place. Selfishly, I'm thrilled that you'll be moving down my way. That means we'll see more of each other than just a time or two every couple of years. Bon Voyage and Welcome.
Having stayed in your lovely home a few times over the years, I can only imagine how hard it is for you and Daniel to leave it. So much of yourselves is in Pleasant Hills. Selfishly, your move down my way means I'll see you more often, meet to have lunch, and spend time sharing stories. Bon Voyage to Maryland, welcome to South Carolina.
Like you, but about 33 years ago, I made a long-distance, life-changing move from KY where I'd lived all my life to CT. Like you, I left behind a mixed bag of troubles, bittersweet memories and good things I hadn't realized I'd miss.
But I also know that, had I stayed in KY, my life would have been very different. Although I didn't realize it for several years, leaving KY gave me the freedom to re-invent myself. When I lived in KY, I hadn't realized how root-bound I was.
Sometimes, you have to uproot and transplant to thrive.
Good luck and good wishes. Thanks to Facebook and the Internet, we'll always be in touch. And especially through your books.
Oh, Sasscer, I am so sorry to read this. I know how much your farm means to you. It must be so hard to leave, but harder to stay. Hugs.
I understand what you're going through only too well, Sasscer. My family lived in a historic restored house in Ashton, Maryland, which you know as being in Maryland's horse country. During the 11 years we lived there, we saw all the charming truck farms obliterated by high taxes, so many horse barns put out of business, and taxes on folks like us who had some acreage skyrocket.
We looked around for other spots but always came face-to-face with those darn taxes. So, seven years ago, we decided to embark on an adventure and moved to Panama. Haven't regretted it for one moment.
Still....there are those memories...
Jane
I understand what you're going through only too well, Sasscer. My family lived in a historic restored house in Ashton, Maryland, which you know as being in Maryland's horse country. During the 11 years we lived there, we saw all the charming truck farms obliterated by high taxes, so many horse barns put out of business, and taxes on folks like us who had some acreage skyrocket.
We looked around for other spots but always came face-to-face with those darn taxes. So, seven years ago, we decided to embark on an adventure and moved to Panama. Haven't regretted it for one moment.
Still....there are those memories...
Jane
Jane how amazing you moved to Panama. Good for you!
I knew a lady named Ann Smith who owned the fabulous historic home, Mount Airy,formerly owned by newspaper magnate Cissy Paterson. When people asked her how could she bear to leave her home, Ann said, "You walk out, you close the door, and you take your memories with you.
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