Out of the ashes, rises the Phoenix

~or how THIS Scorpio appears to be making a comeback.

Sorry I’ve been gone for awhile. Out of commission, so to speak. Have you noticed my absence? Just been trying to get thru the aftermath of losing my CA home to the wildfires, and living for nearly 4 months in hotel rooms, trying to figure out next steps.

I bought a gorgeous, huge new-build house in Chattanooga Tennessee, after months of deliberating where in the world I might land next, and be most content and happy during my remaining “golden years.” I absolutely love it here! In fact, I wish I’d moved to this state 25 - 30 years ago. No kidding. I really mean it.

TN far more closely matches my personality and values, and it feels like ‘coming home.’ I will never fly again, nor will I move~ no matter what (unless another natural disaster takes THIS home from me, as well).

It’s been a challenge starting over. Ya go to open a can of evaporated milk for cream in your instant coffee (a remnant from hotel living), and you don’t even have a fucking church key to pierce the lid! Literally everything you’ve worked decades to afford and acquire, is gone in an instant. It’s kind of surreal, if ya wanna know the truth.

Jeff Bezos is putting his grandkids thru college because of me, and I’m sure a whole lotta other folks who abruptly found themselves home-less. We’ve all had to start from scratch, purchasing simple, everyday items like tweezers and clothes~ because we hit the road that fateful night on January 6th (how ironic IS this date?) with nothing but what we were wearing, believing we’d be back in our beloved homes the next day or two.

Anyhow, I’m happy to say my new house is just starting to feel like a home, thanks to some fairly impulsive yet sound choices pertaining to key furniture pieces and decorative accessories. Creature comforts mean a lot, when you’ve lost everything. I had no furniture to sit on (while it was being made) for weeks in this cavernous house, and my friends all remarked on how I sounded like I was talking to ‘em in an echo chamber, during phone interactions. My ceilings are super-high and vaulted. I doubt this issue will change anytime soon.

Anyhow, I know I’m beginning to recover and feel whole again, when my writing chops start to return. It’s impossible to be creative on demand, because creativity springs from our body’s second chakra (lower back and abdomen), which also houses sexuality and reproductivity. Ever notice you’re more inclined to do art work, write or even, cook~ when you’re not gettin’ laid as much as you’d like??

When you’ve gone thru a traumatic event, it’s akin to getting kicked in the balls. You’re gonna be down for the count for some time, until you can reconstitute yourself and stand up straight again. It even takes awhile for the shock of that injury to abate.

This is my second newsletter posting today. I’d say, there’s a pretty good chance I’m finally recovering and feeling like a human adult again, instead of an overwhelmed 4 year old. It’s taken an unimaginable number of ‘baby steps’ to get me here, but writing has historically been an irrepressible urge and outlet for me. Right now, it feels like saying “Hello” again, to a dear and loyal companion that’s gotten me thru the best of times and the worst of times.

Bottom line, while I’m feeling a bit of trepidation relating to not wanting to be premature and ‘jinx’ this delightful and welcome creative flow, I think it may be safe to say, I’M BACK, BABY!

I sincerely hope y’all continue to enjoy this ride. :~)