Sunday, October 13, 2013

Home is where the boxes are

We are in Harlem.

At least, I am back in Harlem after leading an early fall foraging walk in Brooklyn. And the Frenchman is delivering a Ziptruck back to Brooklyn, after fetching the balance of the terrace pots and delivering them here, to West 127th Street, our new digs.

The next block over is called Langston Hughes Place, and as I type (on my phone - slight cable mishap this morning) I can hear 1. A dog that sounds like six jackals having a fight, on the sidewalk, and 2. A saxophone streaming through an open window.

Also (3.) our new fridge, which is noisy, and which last night held an ice bucket of prosecco and two chilled flutes, from our landlord, Graham.

There is a lot to absorb and process, and more to do. New sounds, our own - the floor is old and creaks - and those of our new neighbors. An anxious kitty who miaowed all night and who slinks around staring fearfully up at the three ceiling fans. Endless boxes and utter disorganization.

So I should get started.

27 comments:

  1. Welcome to your new home! Hope Estorbo gets much calmer today.

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  2. Welcome home...give your handsome cat a scritch for me.

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  3. Welcome to Harlem!
    What a wonderful landlord. So non-Brian!

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  4. Good luck with the move. I am sure it will all turn out well. The cat will learn to love it just as soon as you do, I'm sure.

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  5. Adjusting to a new place is such an enormous process...getting used to having one's things in new spots, new sounds, etc. Disorienting! Estorbo is one honest cat! It's great to read about daily stuff like this. It's more proof that we are not alone in our everyday experiences and "adventures." Best of luck.

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  6. Moving is right up there on the stress-o-meter, even with lots more space and a terrific landlord. But you and Beence and Estorbo will all be "at home" very soon, I have no doubt. I'm looking forward to your accounts of new terrace, new garden, new abode!

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  7. “Frosting

    Freedom
    Is just frosting
    On somebody else's
    Cake--
    And so must be
    Till we
    Learn how to
    Bake.”
    ― Langston Hughes, The Panther & the Lash

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  8. Well you've made the move - not sounding too stressed out - hope it all went smoothly - I am sure the cat and all your plants will soon settle in - have a glass on me.

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  9. Welcome Home!!! Looking forward to reading more about your new space and terrace.

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  10. I see your new neighbor knows your likes already. A good omen.

    Storbie will be fine once he figures out you're not leaving him. And he marks the place as his.

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  11. I've been vicarously following the move issue since early on and am glad all is working out well since your new place sounds quite nice. Plus am looking forward to how you arrange your new planting areas, pots etc. Many congrats and good wishes.

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  12. Love a project. Almost jealous. Book yourself a massage.

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  13. Sante'! Am more worried about the Don, than about you and Vince. All will be well when he realizes he is safe and has a happy new home.

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  14. Congrats on making a successful move! Enjoy!

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  15. sending love & best wishes settling into your new home.
    kisses to E from the cats from Black St.

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  16. Wow, what work ahead, but looks like nice digs. Weird that your not in Brooklyn. Although new comforts to be found.

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  17. Happy about your move to what sounds like a terrific place in Harlem. Sad that you are not here in Brooklyn.
    Enjoy your new trails.
    Deirdre

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  18. We are back home in Concord. The foraging walk was fabulous. I hope it's not too long before you three are so comfortable in the new digs that it feels like you've been there forever. Thanks so much for a wonderful walk.

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  19. When I moved, in 2001, it was into a smaller place with a bigger garden. I unpacked the kitchen and the books first. I don't remember how long it took until it felt like home.Maybe when I took my coffee outside the first morning and walked the garden. Surely when I cooked my first meal. Hopefully the feeling will come soon for all 3 of you.

    Sweet dreams.

    xo J

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    1. Hells bells, Miss J. I actually managed the first meal thing, on moving day (roasted chicken with lime and home-pickle mustard - dish-in-a-pan). But it still feels like another planet, three time zones over...x

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  20. Now comes the magic, making it yours. And you both have that magic. Estorbo will adapt, as all cats do. But he will let you know that he was quite happy and he wants his caddle. (Is he into catnip? If so maybe a little every day. I assume he is not as you never mention it.)

    Amy

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  21. Did you get a new broom? (Which is magic.) What a swell landlord!

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  22. Not sure why, maybe just me! But packing I hate, unpacking boxes is like a little bit of Christmas - every item that comes out generally has a memory - worse the books three days later you will still find me sitting on a box of unopened boxes paging through the one box I have unpacked ............thinking ohhh forgot about this book.

    Lisa, London

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    Replies
    1. ............oh, do you get feliway in the US? It is meant to help calm kitties. Not sure if it works as I have never tried it with my two...............yet.

      Lisa, London

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  23. Hope the new place gets more homelike with each meal, each unpacked box. each plant put in it's place. Feliway is available in the US but didn't seem to work for any of my 5 kits. A friend uses Bach flower rescue remedy to soothe her guys.

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  24. Mucho good wishes on your new digs

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