On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 20:28:00 -0700, jo4hn
wrote:

In our three years here in our mountain hamlet, we have made many
friends. One couple lives a few houses down the street from us. They
are both in their late 80s but very active. He is a woodworker and
artist of local renown.

Unfortunately, they and their children have decided that it is time that
they move back to Los Angeles where, presumably, they can have closer
access to doctors and the aid of family. He has sold his equipment to a
mutual friend (excellent choice) and has given his wood leftovers to me.
I am honored and saddened by the whole procedure. Their house is sold
and his workshop will become a rumpus room by the new owners. We will
welcome them and bemoan our loss. And we will think of our own mortality.
sigh,
jo4hn


One of the unfortunate realities of living out away from it all is
that the services are also away from you as well. I have seen this
same situation occur now on it's third generation where my parents
cabin is in the Yosemite area. It is a small community that once
thrived with retired couples that eventually realized they could no
longer handle the task of the 1 hour trips up and down the mountain to
the services (doctor, grocery store, etc.) and had to move closer to
it all. Not to mention the difficulty of the chores around the
cabin/house (firewod gets very hard to manage when you are in your mid
80's). The second wave of retired couples have now begun their
migration back leaving a gap for the third wave to fill. Each wave
takes on it's own personalities with the different people. I will
likley be in that third or fourth wave as while it is certainly a
temporary assingment, life is just that. I wish your friends well,
stay in touch with them and get to know the new people.

Allyn