Time for Change by Patricia Forsythe


Maybe it's because I was born and raised in this state, but I've always thought there is something special about Arizona.  Yes, I know that on education spending -- to our shame -- we are number forty-eight out of fifty states.  I also know that our centuries-long love of firearms causes a whole bunch of controversy and that we're on the front lines of the immigration issue.

But that's not all Arizona is about.  Where else can you see a canyon so big that an entire city could be hidden in its depths?  What other state had Geronimo, whose Apache name meant He Who Yawns, and who took General Crook and the U.S. Cavalry on a wild ride that lasted for years.  They never caught him, by the way.  He surrendered.

There have been times during the winter when Arizona has had both the hottest place in the United States, Yuma, and the coldest, Williams.  The summers are so hot in much of the state that it's possible to hear the trees whistling for the dogs (an old joke).  However, the summer monsoons are spectacular, with thunder, lightening, and rainbows -- sometimes all at once.  It's not unusual to have a ten percent chance of rain that causes a flash flood.

In spite of my love for Arizona, it's time for me to move -- and for the best of reasons.  I've got grandkids in  Portland, Oregon and I want to be there as they grow up.  Also, their parents are amateurs at this kid-raising business so I need to be there to 'help'.

I'm ready for a big change in my life, ready to downsize and own less 'stuff', which really ends up owning me.  In addition, I'm also ready to write different types of books along with the ones I hope to write for Heartwarming.

I'll miss this state, my friends, the desert, the warm winters, maybe even the summer heat, but I guess what I'm saying is, it's time for a change.

Comments

  1. You're right, Patricia, the summer monsoons are spectacular. I've spent several summers playing golf in Tucson. We've taken shelter in the bathrooms on the courses, as the storms barreled in. Driving down the highway, you'll see a storm in one direction, and bright blue skies in the other. It's really magnificent.
    Good luck with your move. It will be an adjustment, but you're doing it for the right reason, and that will make it much easier.

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    1. Thanks, Jill. I'm looking forward to it. Golf in Arizona in the summer? I did that . . . once.

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    2. Ha ha...it's a dry heat. :) Compared to Charlotte, NC in August, it's not that bad.

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  2. Best wishes to you for this next chapter of your life, Patricia!

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  3. I’m going to miss those gatherings in Tucson when we writers got together for a meal. But, if you had to choose another place, Portland is beautiful. I lived 45 miles away from the city and traveled there for RWA meetings. It can get colder than we’re used to in the winter, and you’ll need chains handy (something I didn’t have). Once when I took my husband to the Portland airport, we had black ice on the highway. Oregon doesn’t salt their sand (a green thing) and tractor trailers crisscrossed the road. Took me hours to get home, and I ended up in a ditch. Best of luck on your move.

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    1. Yikes, Marion! I'll remember that. I'm not fond of driving on slick roads.

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  4. You just made me want to visit even more than I already do! Arizona is one of the most beautiful states and I hope to visit the canyons and see those rainbows :) Change can be a great thing- especially when it involves grandkids! As for exploring new stories to tell- I'm all for that! I like to mix things up to stay on my toes and keep my creative juices flowing. This is a wonderful time in your life; enjoy it!

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    1. Thanks, Karen. I have to admit that I'm really enjoying this retired-from-teaching gig so I can go and do and write what I want. And yes, definitely visit Arizona.

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  5. Patty, I've known you twenty years now. When I headed to Tucson, I knew I'd get to see you. You will be missed. I hope your new RWA home knows how lucky they are.

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    1. I'll miss seeing you, too, Pam. I've always enjoyed our times together.

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  6. I've never been to Arizona, but you make me want to visit. Enjoy this next leg of your journey--those grandkids grow up much too fast!

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    1. Thanks! I know I'll enjoy this change.

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  7. Big things ahead for you, Patti! Best of luck

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  8. Patricia - you'll be only 100 miles away from me, and when Pamela and Roz come to visit, they can see you, too! I'm sorry for all you'll miss, but am excited for you for all that lies ahead. Change is scary, but usually puts things into your life you didn't even know you were missing. And taking new career paths sounds exhilarating. Good luck. Put chocolate in your purse.

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    1. Muriel, I've heard there are lots of wonderful people in Oregon and I think you're at the top of the list. I hope I can meet you when I get to Oregon.

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  9. Arizona is lovely, but Oregon is a different kind of lovely, and what better reasons for a change than family? Besides, when the cloudy skies get to be too much, you can always visit your friends back in AZ and soak up a dose of sunshine. Best of luck on the changes in your life.

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    1. Thanks, Beth. Too many rainy days in a row will probably send me scurrying back to Arizona for a visit.

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  10. What a splendid picture! Once, on a trip, I was able to see Waimea Canyon in Hawaii then the next morning fly over the Grand Canyon. A twofer! Both are beautiful. I love AZ. I keep thinking about downsizing to the state but haven't gotten around to it. I agree, getting rid of stuff feels so freeing. Enjoy your new home! I'd love to live near my grandkids but snow in the Northeast where they live doesn't appeal. I need to visit again soon before winter sets in.

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    1. I hear you. I've got two baby granddaughters in the D.C. area. I'd love to live near them but it's too expensive and I know I couldn't take the winters. I've heard of Waimea Canyon, and definitely want to visit Hawaii.

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  11. OH...sniff...I will miss seeing you at our monthly RWA meetings...sniff. Last year I had officially lived in Arizona longer than I had Texas, so I insisted my husband declare me a true Arizonan. I think twenty two years qualifies me right? I love Arizona, but I can't think of a more valid reason to leave. You'll be going from one of the driest places to one of the wettest ones...that should fun. Good luck with everything and Arizona will miss you. :(

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  12. Patricia, I have a clutch in my heart for you. It is so hard to move, yet exciting. I commiserate. When I moved from Arizona eight years ago, I was wrenched, and I still am. I moved for family, too. And although I have many new challenges and new friends, Arizona is so ultra special, we go back a couple times a year. I miss my girlfriends there soooooo much. I miss the friends in Texas, too. Sniff. Sigh. Sniff. I have to get Kleenex now.

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  13. One of those monsoons we weren't supposed to get today blew through with thunder and lightning forcing me to shut down my computer. That's why I'm late to adding my outright tears to LeAnne's sniffles. The rational part of me knows this is what you need to do. The irrational part, not so much. On the other hand I'd dearly love to live nearer one of my daughters and my grands. Thankfully we can keep in touch via email and blogs so easily these days.

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