It has been a couple of weeks since the big move. The move that took us from the roots of Eastlick heritage to a three bedroom, two bath. As if turning back the clock, we moved to a five acre piece with plenty of trees to obscure the view. There's a new view. Gone are the sweeping fields, the far away trees covering the vast hillside. Gone is the never ending chatter of cattle. Gone are the night sounds filled with frogs and coyotes. My sister once told me that a yard is great but the view is really beyond the blossoms within the borders of the yard. The view, certainly unsurpassed by none.
It was white when we moved in over eleven years ago. The garage doors were broken down and quite dangerous. In the overgrown yard, my "fine figure of a man" found a lawn mower unseen from the back door. Granny had lived there. After she got along in years, her priorities changed. Her goals for the day seemed to be eat the things she enjoyed, stay warm and live in a smaller space.
It was a grand ol' house in its day. The large front room had matching green and brown furniture, a large fireplace and the ever favorite "mat" that was used by all for lounging. The stories told in this family favorite room, were adventurous and never lacked.
Granny was less than 5 foot tall, enjoyed a good rodeo, grew a heck of a garden and loved.
With mixed emotions, we spent quite a bit of time at the big house during our last week as owners of this vast property. We watered, hosed off, walked through. Seemed like it had been so long since this house was our home. Our family grew in the space that was never small or crowded. Family. Many family get togethers were hosted within the boundaries of this ample property. Family dinners and slumber parties were center in our lives. The pinochle games were played in the front room while dinner was being cooked in the kitchen. The house was filled with laughter and so much love.
Summer time donned nights on the deck and walking the pigs or heifer, watering the large garden and the even larger lawn and blooming goodness. Walks down the lane were met with sweet smells, a mixture between summer heat, water and growing pasture. There is a longing for those smells. There is a yearning for the touch of family through the slow, warm summer days.
The "big house" was yellow in color when we moved out. It had been greatly remodeled but still held the lingering stories in the big front room. The kitchen, where Granny cooked many meals for many, was still producing many meals for many. The yard had changed some over the years but the view had not.
So how do you ever match the ultimate view when life moves you along?
Our new view is tall trees shading our home but if you look carefully beyond from the kitchen window, there is a stretch of Scott Valley that tells its own story. There are fields of goodness being irrigated. Intended for cattle of this great valley. The sprinklers making the chew, chew sound as they intentionally moisten the ground.
The back yard, amazing. Lush. But beyond the borders of the finely manicured lawn area are the same mountains could see from Mugginsville. Comforting. Makes us know that we are still home and are still enjoying the view.
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