Today, I arrived. Even though I got here Thursday eve, until tonight it felt like I was still traveling. By 5:40pm, ten minutes late for dinner, I felt completely present and ensconced. Centered. Dwelled. I have never lived in the east, but it seems like something old and known deep in my chest. Today, as I was driving the roads, slowly, winding my way to the organic farm stand that sells plants on the honor system, a tin of money on the counter, and then into Morrisville for a few more herbs and a big beautiful orange begonia, I felt ridiculously happy and at home––sinking fingers into loam makes something feel like yours.
Ditto in my new lodgings. I unpacked my car today, hung clothes, put away toiletries, arranged kitchen goods. Currently I don't have my full bed yet, just a twin, nor my bureau, both of which should arrive next week. Nor a desk. Ha. But I am still settling in. Some photos of family, some precious objects, a rug, books. Violas on the windowsill. My journals. Enough. Plenty. So much. Mountains in the distance. The sound of water.
After a few trips up and down the stairs, I noticed there was a yard sale across the street, so I strolled over. There was a pool ball with the number 11, which is my favorite, and an antique iron toy of a man on a horse --when you rock him, he moves, gallops, holds the bucking steed or leans into the horse, as it is landing. $2.00 total, including a pair of kitchen scissors and some twine.
Did I mention the barns? Just fucking everywhere, the most beautiful buildings. Sturdy, solid, rooted. Also, I moved my boxes/bags/laundry baskets of things into my temporary 2nd floor studio in the Church building studios. I'll be in my permanent space next week, down on the first floor, so I won't set up much, for now. But a beginning. Also got to visit my desk space in the top of the tower of the woolen mills.
Tomorrow, my job begins, the first residents arrive. I am sitting here listening to Sufjan Stevens (Carrie & Lowell, such a beautiful album), and Nick Drake (always a good choice). As soon as I post this, I will leave the Trustee house with my laptop and go sleep in my apartment for the first night. I left the lights on in my bedroom, top floor of Corner House. Did I mention there is no internet or TV in my abode? Well, except phone––ubiquitous.
Anyway, I think I am ready. Here is a picture gallery of my new home, on the edge of a river, in Vermont.
home
hōm/
noun
1. a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person (residence, flat, apartment, bungalow, lodgings, address, hearth, abode)
2. the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
3. an institution for the homeless, sick, etc.:
4. the dwelling place or retreat of an animal.
5. the place or region where something is native or most common.
6. any place of residence or refuge:
7. a person's native place or own country.
8. the destination or goal; the end point.
9. a principal base of operations or activities.
10. Baseball. home plate.
11. Lacrosse. one of three attack positions nearestthe opposing goal.
adjective
1. of, relating to, or connected with one's home or country; domestic:
2. principal or main.
3. reaching the mark aimed at.
4. played in a ball park, arena, or the like, that is or is assumed to be the center of operations of a team.
adverb
1. to, toward, or at home
2. deep; to the heart:
3. to the mark or point aimed at.
4. Nautical. into the position desired;
perfectly or to the greatest possible extent:
in the proper, stowed position: The anchor is home.
toward its vessel: to bring the anchor home.
verb
1. to go or return home.
2. to proceed, especially under control of an automatic aiming mechanism, toward a specified target
3. to navigate toward a point by means of coordinates other than those given by altitudes.
4. to have a home where specified; reside.
5. to bring or send home.
6. to provide with a home.
7. to direct, especially under control of an automatic aiming device, toward a target.
Idioms
1. at home (in one's own house or place of residence; town or country; prepared or willing to receive social visits; in a situation familiar to one; at ease)
2. bring home to, to make evident to; clarify or emphasize for.
3. home and dry, British Informal. having safely achieved one's goal.
4. home free, assured of finishing, accomplishing, succeeding, secure
5. write home about, to comment especially on; remark on.
Origin
before 900; Middle English hom, Old English hām; Gothic haims, ‘home, village, dwelling, residence, world’; akin to ‘haunt.’