Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Ruby's Cottage

My friend Ruby lives in a cozy cottage.  It is a converted garage, set up like a studio apartment.  She has a kitchen, bathroom, and living/bedroom/dining area that's comfortably heated with a wood stove.  She has a two-year supply of wood cut and stacked on her side deck.  Her front deck is for sitting a spell.  The back deck is her dog's domain, fenced in and safe for a dog who jumps several feet in the air when she's ready to come inside. 

Ruby shares eight acres with her daughter, who now lives in the farmhouse where the family of three children grew up.  Ruby and her dog Kelly have their independence and lots of outdoor space for walks, gardening, and soaking up the sunshine.

Ruby owns her home and has no debt.  She's very proud of that fact.  She had planned to always live in her cozy cottage.

The plan has changed.  Ruby's daughter is selling the farmhouse.  Ruby has every legal right to maintain her cottage and surrounding property per the agreement drawn up when she sold the farmhouse to her daughter; and in the beginning she was going to stay put.

Then the realtor explained that it would be difficult to sell the larger house with an independently owned cottage just across the driveway.  Upon consultation with her daughter, Ruby has decided to allow her cottage to be part of the total sale.

A future that was secure is now uncertain.

Ruby has no idea where she and Kelly will go.

Since I heard the news I have had several conversations with Ruby about what comes next.  Her cottage is a refuge for me, where we have had many long talks about life and living.  She gets out her 4-cup coffeemaker to brew the coffee she keeps for when I come to visit.  We share news of our families and tell each other our deepest joys and concerns.

At the end of our visit yesterday we said to each other that things will work out.

I pray that's true. 

5 comments:

Carolynn Anctil said...

Ruby's cottage sounds like a real slice of heaven. How sad that her tranquility is being disturbed. May she find a new place to sink her roots that is better than the one she left behind and close enough for you to still drop by for a visit.

Pienosole said...

Sending wishes that she will soon find another place as cozy.

RURAL said...

Sharon, your voice..it's so strong, clear, and beautiful.

I've been reading some older posts and as I look out my window here into the early snow that is yearning to settle...I think of what you have written...

It moves me.

And it makes me think. What more could I ask for.

What ever path you are treading on right now is a very interesting one, illuminating. Beautiful...you have much to say, and I am glad to hear it.

Jen

Balisha said...

Oh, I hope that things work out for Ruby and you too. It's wonderful to have a place to go to share things that we might not share with everyone. Her little place sounds like a perfect fit for her...how sad that she will have to move.It was a very unselfish decision that she made. I hope her new home is closeby, so you can continue to visit.
Balisha

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Understand much you share
and thinking of you and Ruby.
Hopefully all turns out well.
As we age
and sometimes alone
much happens we did not plan on.