On our walk yesterday, Alira, my Sheltie, and I met a woman and her young daughter visiting from Orlando. Mom asked, “Where are you from?” I replied, “I live here.”

She looked surprised and the daughter raised her head momentarily distracted from all the colorful shells. Mom extended her arm motioning across the sea, “You live here!? Here on this beautiful island? I assumed you were a tourist like me. As beautiful as it is, I could never live here.”

“Yes, I do live here. It sure is not for everyone.”

I visited Orlando years ago and realize it is very different than here. Mom seemed incredulous that someone would choose to live year-round in a place with no street or traffic lights, no taxis, no sidewalks, nor one big box store. None of those things.

And way more than any of those for us islanders loving nature, ample peace, quiet, safety, and a rich sense of community. Time for reflection and doing things that fill our hearts. I LOVE living on my tiny homestead on this little island. After a lifetime of busy, busy to escape my demons, simple and slowed down is now perfect. 💕

As we parted, I realized I am feeling more grounded lately, less dementia PTSD symptoms (thank heavens!), less resentment, less anger.

As the magic of beach shells and the Salish Sea signal spring, my wish for all of you is loving where you live. If you don’t, do you want to change that?

Could you live on a tiny island? For those of you doing so, what do you love about it?

Comments most welcome.

Happy Sunday to you – My favorite day of the week.