I am making chili, which is one of the world’s easiest meals to cook, at least the way I do it. I usually use whatever chili spice mix catches my eye — this time Publix brand. Just chop up an onion and a little garlic, throw it in a big pot with some vegetable oil (I favor olive oil, you can use regular or extra-virgin), throw in a pound to two pounds ground meat (1.70 lbs ground chuck, it was on sale), a big can of diced tomatoes, two regular cans of red or kidney beans, cook. See, the weather, while warm, is overcast and somewhat gloomy — perfect chili weather. Well, it would be more perfect if it were cold, but if you wait until one of Florida’s random cold snaps to make chili then you are a stronger person than I am.
Anyway — I can’t wait until I’m moved out of here. I am so looking forward to moving to St. Louis. I’m not exactly a great decision maker, but this feels right. I’ve never felt that I belonged in this state, and I don’t know why I haven’t already left. (Actually I do — laziness, inertia, fear of change, etc.) For many reasons which I won’t get into now I have been on a long process of making myself realize that I’m a grown woman who is allowed to live her own life and do what she wants. If I have the means to go somewhere I can. I don’t live in Soviet Russia, there’s no one I have to check in with if I want to take off somewhere. Yesterday I decided to drive up to High Springs, a small town outside of Gainesville that I had passed through on a trip with a friend (one of those “friends” who turned out to be just another chain on my life, thereby hangs a tale I won’t tell) many years ago. The town itself turned out to be a bit of a bust, though maybe I shouldn’t go places in rural Florida on Sunday if I want to see anything be open. But the weather was nice — rather hazy — and the countryside along I-75 is quite lovely. It passes through that part of Florida that’s full of horse ranches, and there are hills and vistas and things. With any luck I’ll be able to take a few more of these little jaunts, just to keep my restlessness down to a minimum, until I am finally able to leave this state for good.
3 Responses to “Just to say”
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September 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I’ve been following your Move to St. Louis saga and have wanted to comment but had some trouble with word press.
BUT I finally have access and just want to say GO FOR IT!Dont wait any longer than is somewhat prudent.( You’ll need a little cash). I have twice in my adult life moved cross country and both times it worked out well, considering as little thought and prayer as I put into it. I moved from chicago to Austin tx. when I was 23-24. Had a few hundred dollars and no real marketable skills. I waitressed, got a cheap furnished apartment, and lived there successfully for 12 years. I went to college there, getting my nursing degree, so when at 37 I decided to move back to the midwest, I DID have a marketable skill, but gave away all that couldnt fit into my car and arrived in minneapolis with no job and the crap in my car. Admittedly, the market for nurses is good so I had no anxiety about it. BUt now, another 12 years later, I own a house, have a great job, great church, and lots of good friends. So get yourself signed up with a couple of temp agencies in St Louis(which always seem to be advertised on career builders) Or try Craigslist……pack your car and go. I dont think st. louis has too bad of winters. You also know alot of bloggers. Someone of them, or their readers, must live in St. Louis and could advise you. It’s doable. And good luck!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Thanks! If I can’t get any temp jobs here to tide me over until April I will probably end up doing that. I’ve already calculated how long it will take to drive there, how much gas I will need to buy, etc. I wouldn’t just up and leave my lease, I’ll have to make an arrangement, but I’ve done that before. Really, the only thing currently keeping me in Florida is suspense about whether or not my tomato plants are going to produce. They are at least growing — one of them is almost three feet tall and I had to improvise a stake out of a wire hanger because I found it drooping over in the rain.
September 30th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
best of luck, andrea. you have a plan and that is the important bit. you sound excited and that’s another important bit. i moved more than every year of my life until i settled down here for my daughter’s school. always planned on leaving when she graduated but i have a job that is so good the “golden handcuffs” won’t let me go. that and the fact i would have to sell the house, find a new job, etc. and i am too damn old for that now!
ps.. i have been reading all this, wanting to comment and give you encouragement but i couldn’t remember my password!! (happens with age.. or is it we have too many damned passwords to remember)