It isn’t what we thought we’d do. At least not right now. In a few years, maybe, when we get old, too old to keep up with the yard work. Too old to go up and down the stairs. That day tiptoes closer, and so we’re going to move.

We love our house. We have spent over 30 years making it just the way we like it. Our yard is beautiful in spring, summer, and fall. Heck! I think it’s even beautiful in winter. We dug holes for 73 trees and shrubs just in the first year we moved here. I lost count of smaller holes dug for annuals and perennials in the years that followed.

And of course, hoses have to be dragged around to keep those new plants growing. Pruning, separating, and replacing sick or dead plants must be done. Thanks, Site Group and Cooper Landscaping, for your help adding to and maintaining our little paradise as we got older. Some chores came to be beyond our ability.

The interior of our home has been tweaked in many places. Thanks, Mauk Cabinets by Design. Thanks, California Closets and Closets by Design. Decorating assistance was obtained at times from Jeanne Behm, Ann Rettig, and Sharon Bledsoe. And we did much of the work ourselves: we painted, sanded, stenciled, and wallpapered…and then removed stenciling and wallpaper. I made most of the original window treatments for the house while living in my mom’s basement while this house was being built. Thanks, Sugdens, for featuring good, quality furniture for us to choose from when we needed it.

As you can see, we have availed ourselves of help from local businesses for various home improvements and furnishings. Smaller items were found at the shops in the Hotel Gallery, and at Morning Sun and Happenstance, when they were still in Tipp. If I’ve forgotten to mention other establishments, I apologize. Local talent abounds in our city.

But now, we’ve come to realize that we won’t be digging, planting, painting, sanding, or stenciling as much as before. Our new yard will be simpler; I hope it will be as appealing as we can make it without digging 73 holes. I will probably still do some painting; maybe stitch up a few window treatments.

But our mantra is “Keep it Simple, Stupid.” We will see if “Stupid” me can live up to that mantra.