Yes, it is true, my last post on this blog was written on February 18, 2019. I have posted on my other blog regarding retreats and hiking offers, but not on Thoughts and Adventures. But now, I am back!
Here I am in July of 2025, preparing to make another move. I will be returning to Tucson, Arizona, after several attempts to find a life in New Jersey. I sold a house in Hopatcong, NJ, in January and have been staying with a long-time friend in North Carolina.
But the fantasy of the old-fashioned family, similar to the one I grew up in, never panned out. I have two sons, Mike and Paul. They both live in New Jersey. I have two grandchildren, Kayla and Nate. Kayla lives in NJ and has just become a mom. I have officially become a Great-Grand Nana to Demetri. Nate is now living and working in Pennsylvania.
My extended family is Jill, son Mike’s better half; Lisa, Paul’s significant other; and Brian, who is Kayla’s partner and Demetri’s dad. Marilyn is Jill’s mom, who I consider part of my family as well. I love each of these family members, but I have learned I need community. And family for me simply doesn’t provide that community.
For a minute, I thought North Carolina might be a nice place to live. But it has not turned out to be so. I am forever thankful to my friend, Chanel, for offering me a roof over my head for as long as it took me to discern where my next and final home will be.
I have learned my community is located in Tucson, Arizona. I need the sunshine. I need the freedom to be outdoors every day of the year. I need the exercise that daily hikes or walks provide. I need the dark, star-filled nights. I need the light that inspired the artist in me ( I haven’t created anything since I left Tucson). I need the clean air. Yes, I need the desert, specifically the Sonoran desert in Tucson, Arizona.
It turns out that the desert Southwest is calling me loud and clear. I had lived there for a total of 14 years. Those years were good! I had and still have friends there whom I have never lost touch with.
I hiked the Arizona Trail and other local trails with my good friend Lova. We had many after-hike meals at Saguaro Corners or Ichiban Restaurant. I shared many lunches with my friends Karl, Debbie, Tami, Linda, Malvina, and Ceil. Marcy and I hiked in Saguaro National Park more times than I can count. Karl and I hiked in the National Park while each of us was preparing to walk the Camino de Santiago. (We both have multiple Caminos to brag about.)
Several months ago, I began searching for a home in Tucson. I knew what I wanted and where I wanted to be located. After months and several unsuccessful offers made, I found my perfect home. It just happens to be in the same subdivision I lived in right after I retired from NJ Transit in December 2007.
I am jazzed and excited to be returning home. I will arrive home at the end of this month (July 2025). I am working furiously to get my mover set up, pack the final things I have here in my friend’s house, and arrange the route to drive from North Carolina to Tucson.
I was born and raised in New York. My motto at that time was typical – “I love New York”. And I still do love the New York I grew up in. But that has changed as I have aged.
My motto is now – “I love Tucson, Arizona”.
Exciting times are ahead, and I am ready to embrace them all.
Thoughts and Adventures 