Rabbit Rabbit, almost May, welcome to this episode of “Real Life.” Don’t let the title scare you!! Let the MUSICA do it!😢
The question posed to me over and over again this April: Responsibility. What is it and why do we have it? I think if you 
have children, the minute they are born, responsibility kicks in for a lifetime. I don’t know, because I don’t have children and so that ultimate responsibility was never mine. Looking back, I think for the most part I got to pick and choose my responsibilities😸, they didn’t land on me like care of children must inevitably do. Children help you notice the years are going by. I forgot to do that. But sooner or 
later, life tells you you better take responsibility or you’ll be in trouble. Warning lights show up whether we like it or not. That’s when life decisions can no longer be ignored, you find yourself adding up numbers, weighing pros and cons, living in denial as much as possible, suddenly seeing your surroundings in a way you never noticed before, writing a will🤪, and PLANNING for something you have no idea what it is, or when, or how, or even why, because 
you’re secretly only 23, and very busy, and you don’t DO responsibility. But for some unfathomable reason, to fit into rules not of my making, we’re being forced into it. I would prefer to do TODAY, exactly what I did YESTERDAY, forever. Operative word is forever. Where is my dad when I need him, he had all the answers! So ’round and ’round we go, listing pros and cons, meditating on it, clarifying options, and getting a handle on consequences (guessing, because who knows), debating with myself, debating with Joe, seeing truth but fighting the impulse to lie to myself (I know, that always works🙄), crying while out on our walk ~ and then, back home, my eyes fall on the little stove on top of my big stove, something with zero PRACTICAL value besides cuteness, and I think well, if we have to go, I’m taking that.🤜🤛
Still hard to say … But in a nutshell, Joe and I have decided for our old age, it’s best we 
move to our house in California and sell our house on the island. So many reasons, but number one is the one most of us have to wrestle with, our financial situation … this big old house requires constant maintenance, and if we sell it we will have enough money to ensure our security in the future. All the back and forth, all the worry comes down to that. Now that we’ve finally accepted it, we’re trying to take it one day at a time. We’re in good health, and once it’s all done, if we live through it, we’ll see where we are and what our future holds. I’m sad, but excited too. Change like this brings both losses and gains. Living in this big old house has been the BEST thirty-five years! A dream come true, a miracle. And when we go? We take our memories and go to MORE Beauty!!! Don’t be sad for us, it’s life, the beautiful, wonderful, mystery of right thing at right time. I guess we always knew this day would come. We’ve decided to love each other through it.💞 I’m drinking tea from my Blessed cup this morning.💖
I think back on the years I’ve been writing Willards (LOOK on the right of this page, scroll down to ARCHIVES!) … put all that writing together and it’s a diary! The longest memoir in the history of womankind! You’ve been with me through it all, and often going through just exactly the same thing at the same time! And now, this. I know we aren’t alone. You know I’ve been homesick all my 
life … when I’m in California, I want to be on the Island… when I’m on the Island, I miss California. So actually, nothing changes, the homesickness continues.💝 As my mom would say, “so spoiled.” It’s all those fairy tale books I read, not my fault.
Just like everyone else, we didn’t know how to do this. And just like everyone else, we’ve had to make it up, CREATE it. We needed all the help we could get, so I Googled, “Biggest mistakes made when retiring” (in 
so many words, even if you’re NOT retiring!). “Get ready,” they all said, “you will be old someday, get yourself organized.” Heard it for years, didn’t do it. But hearing it so often, you have to (⬅️😱) believe it. We had to figure out what is going to be best for us in the long run. There are helpful studies online that result from questioning people who’ve been through it. Safety 
was big. Which means, no narrow, steep, ship-like stairs like these built in 1849 by a whaling captain. One-floor living is a requirement. Climate is also important, tying in to safety: Snow is heavy, ice is slippery, don’t get near it. Healthcare and senior services: You should not have to get on a ferry to get that because what happens if the ferries don’t run? Money: cut expenses so you don’t accidentally run out. This was the big one (and the tipping point) for us: no giant old “money-pit” houses (as our accountant referred to our house) that require constant care, where heating costs as much as a house payment, and chores require getting on ladders. And the number one biggest mistake people make, they say, is waiting too long. Grrrr.😲
“So far life had just happened to me. I had to figure out a way to happen to it.” 💖 me
I wrote those words in my memoir “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams.” I have never liked it when life happened to me, I have always wanted to feel as if I’m making a choice, and if it’s wrong, then I only have me to blame. And although our financial 
situation limits your average zillionaire’s full-range of choices, I can still choose some things. For instance, I can choose how I’m going to look at this. I could either up my anxiety medicine, or choose joy. I choose joy. I choose the Pollyanna Glad Game that’s gotten me through life since I was 8 years old. I choose to find the good, go forward positively and follow my dreams, we are NOT going to be destitute. And I’m not done yet, but that doesn’t matter, they say, you must prepare yourself. So I walk around with all this in my head, and there, all spread out on the kitchen table where Joe has left it for me, is the newspaper.
And look what it says! The unstoppables! All in their 80s and 90s, lucky to have good health, and they still work because they love it. I imagine they are all have lots of help around them, they probably have children and grandchildren, money is likely not a problem ~ and definitely they don’t have to climb whaling-captain 
ship-stairs to get to their bedrooms, but look at them! Totally inspiring. They may have had to change lifestyle a bit, but that didn’t mean everything was OVER. It didn’t stop them. And I don’t think it’s because of their ambition as this article says, I think it’s LOVE. Love of life, love of what they do, love of the people they’ve come to relate to and care for through their work. Do people ever tire of spreading love? I don’t think so. Nothing is EVER perfect, but these people, and so many like them, happen to life and don’t let life happen to them until they absolutely MUST. I want to be just like them when I grow up!💖
Yes, it’s hard; overthinking is the thief of confidence ~ but in my studio I found these cards ~ keepers, all together on a shelf. I put them on the fridge to share with Joe. The first one was painted by Kate Taylor, sister of James, a WONDERFUL singer and artist and person, and our friend. Her card says it all.’Course we can!💝
And this postcard about sharing experiences with your bestie…
And this card, so perfect for us, given to me by Joe for our anniversary . . .
And his sweetest words that brings us right back to
You Me, We Can Do This.
Reminding us our whole life has been an adventure, why not now?
There are two ways to look at it. As either our greatest loss ever, and or as another fantastic gift of life adventure. I 
question it constantly, cry sometimes, but then I read the birthday card Mother Seraphima and the sisters sent me that says, “Life isn’t about what you hold in your hands. It’s about what you hold in your heart.” And my heart keeps hold of it all. So, I think, year-’round gardening can NOT be a bad thing. Roses! The sale of Spring Street will enable us to pay off our debts. I hate debt. It makes me feel like I weigh 300 pounds. I will LOVE living near Kellee, Sheri, and Judy again, I feel empowered in our meetings so filled with inspiration. We do better when we’re together. I will love waking up to the gurgling 
water fountain outside our bedroom window, and looking out my kitchen window, past the bird feeders in the mimosa tree, at the long green farmland ~ all that glorious nature. I will love Trader Joe’s. I will love living a simpler life, will love wine with Diana next to the water, love painting at the same art table where I wrote my Autumn Book, with a view of our picket fence garden, will love a large garden project. But the things I will miss are uncountable, the history, the years, but number one, I can barely write this, are our wonderful friends. But we know we’re coming back, for as long as we are able … we’re just not coming in summer,
when the humidity melts me into a puddle. And not in the long months of winter, which, despite its many charms, can trap us inside like a perpetual pandemic. We’ll come in the spring to see the weeping cherry trees in bloom, the magnolias, and the dogwoods, for the tulips and daffodils ~ and in the fall, for the smell of autumn, for the leaves flying in the wind, for the colors, and the sweaters. And I imagine it will be more magical than EVER. All part of the adventure. All part of the gratitude, the pure gift I’ve been given in this life. I refuse to be sad, when happy is so easy. I have always loved the flow of life, and that hasn’t changed. I will say the thing I say every day, thank you God.💖
So we are packing up to move! And allowing ourselves to be excited! Because it’s exciting! I walk by the dining table where I am gathering things to take, and hear tiny, squeaky, excited mousie voices all talking at once, “why are we here, what are we doing, where are we going . . .?” The “children” are excited … Petey too! He’ll be in the old Fine Romance Van (ie garden truck), along with us, and Jack, when we drive them across country to their new home. Luckily everyone is up for the adventure! And we’ll bring you along! I’ll have to Instagram the trip! I think Jack will love being the center of attention 24-7. And I will love having him with us.😻
Downsizing! We’ll have less than half the square footage in California! Which I will love. I already feel liberated! I’m taking all our very favorite things and just LEAVING the rest of it, walking away, for an estate sale. From six sets of dishes, I narrowed it down to two! Proud of me? And everything is going to go with green. Because guess what? I get to REDECORATE! There is good in everything. You’ll see! I can’t wait to show you! Don’t cry for me Argentina. I am going to eight long green acres in the quiet sunshine where gardenias and artichokes grow.
So upward and onward: Life goes on.💝 This will cheer you up! MAS MUSICA! (The kind of MUSICA my house has always loved.💞 I tried to bypass it, but they seem determined to throw commercials in, hit “skip!” It’s worth it!!💝) I’ve always loved dolls, my mom did, and so do I. But she never let herself collect them, and me either because I just can’t bring myself to have a room full of dolls, I love them too much, they would overwhelm me (Joe would kill me), I have no doubt! I go to doll stores, alone, whenever I see one, very dangerous. Even bought one for my mom. But, I’m just too boringly practical. Almost always.
So the other day, on our way to our walk, there were signs along the road pointing to an estate sale … it was a beautiful, sunny blue-sky day so we decided to go. Because when you’re moving and trying to downsize, the first thing you think of is “Let’s go get more stuff!” (And I call myself practical🙄) But LOOK at her. ⬇️ I can’t help it, I BELIEVE her to be beautiful!💝 Wm. Morris would HAVE to approve . . .😊
She’s tiny. She has a hand-painted face, and hand-painted shoes and socks. Her underclothes were clean, but her dress was very dirty and I did my best to clean it, soaked it with lukewarm water and a drop of bleach . . .
One of the sleeves had come apart so I sewed it back together.
She read some of my books while she waited for her dress to air dry. I found her chair at the estate sale, too! And I know exactly where she will go in the house in California! She will be driven in the van with me and Joe and Jack and Petey.💝 My other dolls.
XXX
And here she is … I had to show you her dancing legs . . .
What else? So much ~ Kellee is getting new things into the Studio every day. I can’t keep up!
All my paint boxes have to be packed up and I have a jillion of them. I don’t know why. I keep thinking there might be a color out there I haven’t seen yet. Taking no chances. And they DO make better colors all the time . . . Look at these I just got:
Aren’t they gorgeous? In cork! I’ve never seen that before. The colors are so rich and vibrant and they flow beautifully from brush to paper! I’ve already started using them . . .
XXX
Even the BROWN is gorgeous! I got them for you too! I also found ⬇️ the sweetest little pad of textured 100% cotton watercolor paper with a vegan leather cover.💖
I’ve always wanted to offer a little set of wonderful watercolors ~ just hadn’t found the perfect ones yet. I still haven’t been able to get brushes, sorry … but my two favorite paintbrushes 
are Windsor Newton #1 and #4 ~ you can find them at Blick … everyone should give it a try! Look what happened to me! Total accident, but fun for a lifetime! Don’t think you have to be perfect, there is no such thing. Original, no matter WHAT, is best. 💖 Do it your way! And there are so many wonderful teachers out there! Sign up for something! Think of all the nice people you’ll meet! Watercolors are like music, some very ethereal and light, some very dark and opaque, shivering high notes and intense low notes, lighthearted joy and depths of heartbreak, spring and fall, the fast and the slow, some spreads forever, some is short and stops abruptly… do it to your own song and you’ll be doing it right.🧡 Maybe, just maybe, when we get to California, I will learn how to video myself and try to give an art lesson! That would be interesting. I barely know how I do it myself! 💖
My collection of heroes is heading west too . . . I’ve been collecting these die-cut hero-cards to inspire me in my studio since George Washington arrived as a wedding invitation way back in the 80s. Slowly over the years, in bookstores and other assorted places, I found the others, from Mark Twain, to Jane Austen, and all the others. Everyone asks me about them … And Kellee found them for our webstore!
“Susan’s Picks” this week are all about Mother’s Day . . . including this greeting card I made for all the nurturer’s in your life. We also have the guided books I made for moms and grandmas to tell their stories and record their memories. Every day is Mother’s Day in so many of our hearts.💝 Speaking of which, for the Mom’s in your life:
Something new! We have a Girlfriend who makes these wonderful gold filled necklaces for us, perfect alone or for layering ~ so dainty, this one we call Counting my Blessings . . .
I am a heart girl so when I saw this one, I had to have it, and needed them for you too! So here we go! You can see the gold heart necklace HERE. (The little flower necklace you see with it is coming soon!) I hope you love it! They all come on these little cards and in a clear envelope and look really good together!
I’ve had a chain like this for a long time and love how the light picks up the little extra detail of the beads … so when I saw these I was thrilled I could offer them to you. They come in either gold OR silver ~ I wear it on its own, or add a pendant ~ it’s like a jewelry-box staple. You can see it on Kellee HERE.
Lots of new cards … these have simple summer drink recipes, reminding us to celebrate EVERY wonderful moment.☀️
And these wonderful Alphabet Stitch Kits finally came back in ~ with everything you need, including instructions, needle, and embroidery floss. Make something you can pass down to your family. This one is mine, but that space there at the bottom is for you to embroider your own name and the date…💝
But honestly, despite packing and worrying, and now instead of worrying, meditating and remembering, despite all that, I look outside and see this and go get my phone!!! Who wouldn’t!?
forsythia, magnolia trees, and garden mulch . . . part of the flash dance of spring . . .🌸 Yes we’re going, but the garden says, Hey, don’t forget me . . . and we never will.🪴🪴🪴
Went out to dinner with friends and this was the view on the other side of the window . . .👀
Driving home under a full moon . . . I’ve had forty-two years of Martha’s Vineyard full moons.😱 At LEAST 504 of them, not counting the Blue Moons! Brought here, I don’t know how . . . How lucky can you get!!!? And I hear there are full moons in California too!💃🏼
Our morning walk has been a pure gift … red bucket and flip flops on the beach this beautiful morning and no one else around! Inspires Morning Science!
And the sunsets . . . 
and new blooms . . . forty-two years of the surprise of Spring . . . I have loved this house to its very soul, and it has loved me back to mine. A part of me is embedded here forever and I could not be happier about it. The world turns, spring passes, summer comes, all is as it should be.💝
Here we go! Off to the next adventure! Good bye April . . .💝
Hello May 🌸
Plant up a storm Girlfriends, all the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today!🪴 All Love, all joy, all hope, all truth, all courage, to all of you, all the time.💞
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Susan,
Thank you for all the joy you so freely shared with us from your beautiful home in Martha’s Vineyard. I can’t wait to hear about your California adventures and joyful experiences. God Bless.
Susan,thought this was the best way to get a message to you! I live in Carmel Valley. This week’s Carmel Pine Cone carried a front page story about a statue in honor of John Madden. It is in front of Bruno’s Market on Junipero in Carmel. Thought you would enjoy having Joe take a picture of you sitting on the bench next to him!😜 I remember your hilarious story of meeting him on the train and thinking he might be a mobster because of the large ring he was wearing! Happy and surprised to read you are moving back to California. My daughter and her family live in Templeton. I am a few years older than you and have been a fan for years. I can always count on you to add some cheer to my day! You can read the Pine Cone on line. enjoy!
Thank you Dee Dee!!!
Sorry about that reference to the Carmel Pine Cone article! Didn’t realize the story was not continued onto another page! There is a video on KSBW.com, our local NBC TV station. 🤪
Dee Dee
No worries! I’ll look for it. I’m SO HAPPY they put a statue, he was such a sweetheart!!! Just plop, sat down, out of nowhere, at my table. How did that happen???!!!
I thought u sold t CA gouse
I have such a fondness of and appreciation for your blogs.
Makes me so happy to hear that!
So happy for your new adventure and can’t wait to see the new house. But, also so sad the Island is losing you and Joe. It is a place dreams are made of, one of most favorite places in the world. (besides Ireland). Safe travels and blessings to you Joe & Jack.
Oh, oh welcome back to California! What a wonderful gain it is for us! Travel safely and happily–it’s a terrific country. I have traveled cross country with dogs and babies and in old VW buses (but never with a cat!), and I would not have missed a minute of it. You leave behind so much love and so many memories. May you have bundles of love and room in your heart for more memories. Vaya con Dios!
Dear Susan,
May I call you “Sue Sue” now? 😊 Because I feel like you’ve been a pen pal over the years after reading your blogs, your books, and following you on your adventures. Your inspirational quotes have gotten me through some tough days and I love how you write to us like a dear friend. I have such an affinity for all of it and for you! As I sit on my porch swing, coffee in hand, I’ve just read your latest blog about moving to California. Moving is HARD work not just physically, but emotionally especially when you have to collect all of your memories to take with you. The next journey is going to be “fun, fun, fun”, though, like The Beach Boys sang and I wish you, Joe, and Jack all kinds of fun and good times ahead in California!
Sending my very best wishes and hugs to you. Keep us posted on the move! -Sincerely, Tonia
Please call me Sue! xoxo
I just saw this today as I have been out of the country and offline completely. You and Joe ae off to new adventures and I wish you many blessings as you settle into your new(old) home! I did this 4 years ago moving from the home I had lived in for 43 years and it has been such a wonderful thing! I have had some great new adventures and met wonderful new friend who I feel like I have known a lifetime already! I have always been so blessed by your writings and books and art! I look forward to enjoying many more and hearing all about your cross country journey too! Much love to you and Joe, jan:-)
Happy for you Susan! It’s quite a change. 9 years ago I moved from my home in California to Jacksonville, North Carolina! Almost like starting life over. So glad I did. Best wishes for you both.
If anyone can turn what might at first appear to be lemons into lemonade (with the recipe on a lovely card) and make an adventure of moving back to CA, it will be you! Godspeed!
I don’t remember how I came upon your book, Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams, but fell in love with your writing and beautiful art work, all heart warming, and of course inspired me to read all your other books. I have an adventurous spirit and a love of nature, so needless to say,
I love beyond words you bringing me and your other followers along with you. Willard is a true gift!! Look forward to the adventures that await in California.
(I also love the vintage Julia Childs little pot I bought on your website and I’m addicted to your blueberry black tea…a big thank you to Kellee who was so kind with my order and my questions!)
Love hearing that, Mary! Thank you!
Dear Susan… remember that old song “ Make New Friends…”? Welsh poet Joseph Parry (1841-1903) wrote it. It was the first stanza of one of his poems. Somewhere along the line, the Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls picked up those lyrics and adopted that tune as theirs. Your move reminded me of that… “Make new friends but keep the old… one is silver and the other gold” lalala🎶 I know you have lots of “old” friends in CA, but it will be exciting to embrace the new. Leaving such a special place is so bittersweet and you and Joe have certainly carved out a loving beautiful home on MV. The memories you take with you both in your packing boxes and your heart will always fill you with joy. Wishing you both only the best…❤️❤️
Love, Cindy
Susan,
I was in total shock reading your blog. The last I read you were selling your house in California, now you’re selling your house on the island. WHAT?? You know I always loved your house on Martha’s Vineyard, in fact in 1999 when my daughter and I traveled back east for a fall foliage trip, we both said we were going to see your house no matter what, and that we did…….
Of course I had a picture of it from your Christmas book. We snooped a little, trying to find the best place to snoop, I hope you didn’t mind! It was as beautiful as we imagined.
I understand your feelings though, I’m 82 in a two story house. Should have moved yrs. ago.
Best of luck to you in California. We’ve lived here in So. CA. for 63 yrs. Haven’t regretted it.🩷🏡
I am beyond surprised to read about your move. There are so many of us from the past who have fallen by the wayside as time moved on. I have not followed the blog for years but felt the urge when I received the latest Willard! Susan, it made me realize how important it was to have a “relationship” with you. It got me through some tough times. Your decorating sense and taste lives on in our homes and minds.
I wish you the very best life in your move.
Susan, reading your blog always brightens my day! Your share your heart with us as if we were your best girlfriends! I wish you much happiness in your new home in California. I know you will fill it with special memories. Safe travels!
I was surprised at how emotional I became while reading about your decision to leave Martha’s Vineyard and settle in California. It brought about a lot of reflection on my own life, how time marches on, and how our expectations and priorities change. My husband (another amazing Joe) and I started our adventure together in Topanga, California in the late 70’s. We then spent a number of memorable vacations on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard with both family and friends after moving to the East coast. We used to pick up the local newspaper there and check out the real estate listings and dream of owning a home on the island. We ended up settling for occasional vacations, instead. 😊 It was a friend who first introduced me to your books, calendars, etc. I still have your notepads for each month on my fridge, but am finally close to running out of pages. Sad times! I remember back when you started Willard and were coming up with the perfect name for it. I’m always excited to discover one in my inbox and settle in for a good read. I love hearing about your travels – especially your train travels. I can relate to your love of the Vineyard as well as California. My husband and I made the decision to downsize 5 years ago. It was a hugely difficult decision, but it was the right one. We have a small ranch house now that is so easy to live in as we get older and, sadly, have to accept our limitations. We love to reminisce about our previous home, but entirely without regrets. I want to offer my best wishes for you and Joe and all the adventures yet to be had. As far as I can tell, we get one shot at this life. Sounds like you and Joe will continue to make the most of it. You are an inspiration for all of us to live our best lives. Cheers!
Thanks, your books helped so much after I moved to a small town on the West coast with three kids. I too divorced, and met the! love of my life. Together 26 years, and still in Long
Beach, Wa. We now have four grandkids. I never regret this wonderful life.
Every one of us “out here” has learned so many things from you, For those of us who are the same age as you, you became our sister and the things you share from your heart resonate in ours.
Is the MV house sold yet? We can only hope that the next owners will continue to love it like you and Joe have.
Looking forward to your landing in CA. And remember, Girl Scout, that the song tells us….”Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.”
Dear Sue
I admit to being behind on myWillard’s, but something I saw on twitter led to me doing some catching up. I know we are all surprised, and I know a tiny bit of what you’re going through, having made the decision to leave CA 12 years ago, and then moving back two years ago. I needed to downsize a lot to make that move. And while that wasn’t always easy, the end result is being here, where my heart is. I wish you and Joe and Jack the joy of your memories, and know you’ll be making many more.
Please, please please do some teaching videos on your artwork and watercolor process, including the lettering. I would love to learn about how you create your beautiful pages!
Came back to read this because as I said in your current Willard, I missed this one! So I was shocked.
I understand why you are moving to California. It is the logical and practical thing to do. I will miss the Vineyard right along with you.
Wishing you a safe trip back “home” and blessings on your new adventure. And, as always, glad you are taking us with you!
xo
Barbara
Susan,
I’m just now reading this as life has been very full recently. I am so glad I did. I’m surprised but understand your decision. I know it had to be a difficult one. Having two places called home tears at the heart. My parents were from Ireland and experienced the same thing, especially my mother. But they moved to California and if I wasn’t in Ireland or the UK, California is where I’d want to be, so here I sit in Southern California. Funny, I’m finally going to get to Martha’s Vineyard this fall.
Also, I think it was meant for me to read it now instead of last month. I’m having a similar experience, although not as monumental. I’m a bit younger than you and have heard the bells ringing in my head about preparing for a less active time in our lives, since before the pandemic. I am so happy you wrote about the mistakes of retirement and that waiting too long was a big one. That’s motivation for me to speed up instead of taking my time.
My husband is disabled and not really able to help. I want to move to a smaller place where I don’t have to worry about the yard, it’s just too big and costs too much for others to maintain. We’ve lived here going on 39 years and my husband doesn’t want to move. I still have a full-time job so it’s difficult to take care of all that I need to do.
But I’m deciding, thanks to you, that I want to happen to life, instead of letting life happen to me, at least until I absolutely have to.
Thank you for all the years of sharing your wonderful home and beautiful decor of vintage and charming English wares. The soft colors, floral prints, pretty glass and crystal items, candles, English bone china dishes and teacups, doilies and quilts, yum! It’s my favorite style. You’ve been so generous with letting us into your home and life and it’s been such a joy and sometimes even a respite for me.
I have always loved your artwork since I came across your Heart of the Home, Notes from a Vineyard Kitchen all those many years ago. Although mine it is an Eighteenth Edition. I do have a First Edition of the follow up, Vineyard Seasons, More from the Heart of the Home. And the recipes have been wonderful and some very fun to make and enjoy. I went into your online shop yesterday to buy the new mug and saw the paints. I’ve been wanting to get back into dabbling with watercolor and bought the paints! I can’t wait to get them and do a little dabbling!! I also bought the 250 year mug and had the Queen’s mug sent to my sister for her 70th birthday. Of course, I already have that mug. I’m only missing a few of the mugs, one of which is the Jack mug. I’m really sorry I didn’t get that one.
So finally, for now, I look forward to your continued blogs from the Central Coast and seeing more pictures of our beautiful state from you in this new adventure.
I’m praying for you, Joe and Jack, to have a safe and relaxing journey as you trek across the country to your forever home.
God Bless you. Now on to the May blog post. (I can’t believe I’m this far behind, but I think there was a reason)
Peace & love-one of your forever friends,
Maureen
Hi Susan! I just want to say, I wish you the very best on your journey. I can feel the warmth and love from your past and now your future. Blessings and love to you. Anna ❤❤
So glad your move back to my home state is not a prelude to retirement! Just retirement living! I love California and call myself a native, altho’ to be honest I was born in Phoenix due to my father working on the AT&SF railroad in 1942 and the families tagged along in boxcars outfitted for living (original “mobile” homes) (my sweet mom even had chickens that were let out during longer stops) and the time came for me to make my entrance so they stopped in Phoenix just for me! Being married to two Air Force men, one a test pilot and the other a flight surgeon, I have lived and traveled many, many places. Spent a couple of years in Long Beach on Smith Street and my mom and I would walk down to the river and pick wild asparagus. I attended kindergarten (crossing busy Long Beach Blvd by myself) and having my 6th birthday at Welch’s restaurant choosing shrimp for dinner. I do believe we, altho’ I’m 5 years older than you, grew up in similar circumstances and times and do mourn their loss. And I think I wrote you on an earlier blog, but just in case it didn’t go through, the one thing to remember is: Don’t be sad it is over, Be glad that it happened!
I see that you are bemoaning the high cost of shipping goods. And the costs have only risen since Covid. I do a lot of shipping through internet sales of retired Longaberger baskets and pottery. And I have found a fantastic way to ship that is waaaay much cheaper. It’s called Pirate Ship, and it is at least half what the usual cost is, using USPS or UPS. You weigh your package and measure it and enter destination address, choose the shipping method, and BAM! Your label is printed and ready to be attached to the package. Then you can have it picked up or take it yourself to the post office or UPS, whichever you chose. Plus, just drop it off! No standing in line! I also have PayPal and the charges are deducted from that. Have your admin staff check it out! Hope that info is helpful!
OMG!!!! I just read your article and I am so surprised and happy you and Joe are moving back!!! I’ll definitely get more veggie boxes to you. Safe travels!!😃
We’ll be your new customers!
I just don’t know how you could leave such beauty and cozyness. That island is a very special place where you’ve lived for so many years. I just couldn’t let it go no matter what it took. I’d have to be dragged out there lol so I applaud you both and wish you all the best.
I’ll miss knowing you aren’t on the East coast. I hope you and Joe and Jack will be very happy in CA. Best of luck and lots of joy to you all.
I am 87 years old and trying to make some life decisions. My daughter encouraged me to read your latest blog where u r tackling those same choices. I like your positive attitude. I too still have my Pollyanna book from my childhood. I’ll write another time about my daughter and my trip to Martha’s Vineyard in search of you little house. Great fun! We’ve also seen u both here at RainyDay Books.
Dear Susan…I say this for what it’s worth. I cannot ever imagine you leaving your MV home, but difficult decisions happen to all of us. I have followed you for years from here in California. It seems like it was such a “sudden” decision, as you were here looking to sell the CA property and then all of a sudden you were selling the MA property. From my heart to yours, I just caution you to make sure this is the right decision and not a spur of the moment, live changing, forever decision that may you two may regret. CA is not what it used to be. Nothing is magical here anymore. Please just be sure before it is certain. With love from my heart to yours. No need to post or respond. This is a live changing move to a much different place. You have shared everything with us. I hope I can share this with you. I’ve been there and made such a decision, which I later regretted. Just be sure.
Susan I was sad to learn you were leaving Martha’s Vineyard…but after reading your blogpost I totally understand. I applaud your decision and wish you and Joe nothing but the best. You continue to inspire me with your positive outlook on life. I too, much prefer to ‘look on the sunny side’! I look forward to reading about your move and experiences in California!
Shocker! Is how I describe learning about your plans to move of of the island and across country, none the less! I love that you’re sharing your bittersweet excitement with me (well I know it’s not with just me, but your writing makes me feel that way).
I’ve been enjoying your writing and art for over 30 years, and am so grateful for your overflowing cup of inspiration and wisdom and calm that each Willard brings.
Thank you for it all!
So courageous, dear Susan, Joe, and Jack. I’m glad you have each other and all the years of goodness that are as true today as they ever were and ever will be. Blessings on your journey and this next chapter. Love from up here in Maine.
As you strike out on your new adventure, as many of us have had to do, my prayers for Journey Mercies go with you. Enjoy your trip and we’ll see you in California. Can’t wait to hear what wonderful things are coming for you and Joe and Jack. Thank you so much for all that you do to bring joy and Beauty into our lives⁵
Dear Susan – I am a long-time lurker here… It was really great to read this post. As a fellow native Californian, it’s good to hear someone say something nice about our state. It certainly does make retirement easier to be in a place with such great weather and services. (And wine – we just spent some time in Los Olivos…) And becoming debt free is amazingly freeing! Yay YOU! I love your attitude – embrace everything!
We have a gigantic 70s box of a house and a big boat, and we look ahead and wonder just how long we will wish to manage both. (We are in our 60s.) It’s good to have someone like you discuss responsibility with JOY! I wish you both the best. May nothing you love get broken in the move!
Oh Susan, what a difficult decision, I do not envy you. But we do have to make choices based on our growing older, Snow, stairs, things that get in the way. We made our way to SC from CA based on proximity to grandchildren, but missing Ca. Pismo and the central coast was our vacation spot and we do miss it. I will visit MV this summer to visit my daughters inlaws. I do love the Vineyard, wish I had been able to visit when you were still there. Good luck in your move At least you are moving to a place with memories and familiarity. Keep us posted!
Well I am crying! I visit my daughter on the Island often and love driving past your house which it will always be to me. I wish I would have knocked on your door in April before I knew you were moving to hug you and wish you well. You will always be a part of the Vineyard to me, Susan!
I think when you move back to California, to your property and home there, you and Joe will be very happy. I just feel it! And I am excited for your new adventures! I have followed you for so long now and love all of your work! Every year I must have one of your calendars for my kitchen and I have almost all of your books. So you see, I am a big fan! May God continue to head you and Joe! ❤
I think when you move back to California, to your property and home there, you and Joe will be very happy. I just feel it! And I am excited for your new adventures! I have followed you for so long now and love all of your work! Every year I must have one of your calendars for my kitchen and I have almost all of your books. So you see, I am a big fan! May God continue to bless you and Joe! ❤
Hi Susan,
I read your blog earlier in the week and have been in mourning since. I am so sad to hear you are leaving this beautiful place. I understand the reasoning and know I will not be staying here when I reach my golden years. Is there any chance of getting a few of my books signed before you depart? I know moving is all consuming, so if this is not possible, no worries. I will always be a huge fan!
Wishing you all the best❤️
I want to sign up to receive Willard.
You can do that at the top of the page, on the right, you’ll see a spot to sign up! Really easy! 💝
Susan, Thank you for sharing your perspective on moving, downsizing…and choosing positivity. You have encouraged me greatly. I have loved Willard since the first one and remember how exciting it was to get the printed ones in the mail! Your art has encouraged me since I found your first book in the 90’s. Love to you and Joe! (Pismo holds many childhood favorites as a native CA girl :).
Dearest Susan,
I had to trek back to see this post. And I understand. The chapters of your life you wrote on the Vineyard have enriched your heart and soul, beyond measure. I’m certain the next will do the same. I wish you and Joe all the best on your new adventures. Thank you for sharing the joy and the ride…xo
We take us, we take our memories, we take our love and our passion. How could we go wrong!!!🌺
Hi Susan. I’ve never written to you before, but I have been an admirer of yours for decades. I too was a Southern California girl, married, then divorced. Then, a bit like your story, I met someone wonderful in Woods Hole, moved East to marry and am now downsizing from our 1732 home to a one story house. I loved the years in my home, but the stairs (!) and upkeep became too much, along with more development around us and the widening of the road in front of the house. But my husband has family friends n Maryland and won’t move to California.
But I digress. I was thrilled to hear you too love Gladys Tabor! The only other fan letter I’ve written was to her. My collection of your books sits right next to my collection of hers.
Your packing and transport are over, and mine are starting. We move late next month. It’s difficult at 82 (how did that happen?). We waited too long. But by fall we will all be settled into our newest adventures. You two and your kitty and us with our two small pups. ❤ I’m SO glad you are not retiring!
I wish I knew how to thank you for holding my hand through the many joys and challenges across these many years.
You can do it Linda … we’re doing it together, and I see blue skies ahead! xoxoxo🤜🤛
Wishing you all the very best..we are all creatures of habit and change takes courage especially as we grow older. You’ll be right and there’ll be many delightful new experiences yet to be had☺️🌸🐝🌸❤️
Oh Susan, you are such an inspiration.
We are going through a similar situation, and its finances at the root. We do have to sell a house we love so much, in an area we love. Just reading what you’re going through and your positive attitude is giving me strength! Its not so bad, we still have a house, we just have to sell one we love.
I love reading everything you write, I can’t do without your calendar. I’d like to be you when I grow up even though I am pretty sure I am older than you.
Welcome back to California!
I understand! Best of everything to you Katherine! I think we will both be very happy when this part is over with!!
my husband John completed a doctorate at Asbury, Kentucky 5 years from 1995 on cultural anthropology – your calendars were introduced to me by my friend Laurie. As I live permanently in Australia and my beloved has passed, I find your calendars on line are such a comfort with all the news and fills in some homesickness for USA – we did visit Martha’s Vineyard for a few days. Exciting days ahead. I am 82 – we moved, together with over 8,000 books to the coast from the city of Melbourne with no regrets – I have 17 grandchildren.