My Next Challenge

In a nutshell, within about 2 weeks of the expiration of my Section 8 Housing Voucher, I was told by the homeowner on who's property I'm parked that they're splitting the sheets and will be putting the place up for sale pretty soon, by Spring.  In this legal, prime pot-growing climate, 5 acres with water will go in a heartbeat, for a really nice profit for my landlords to each make a new start.

But I'm screwed.  My 1992 RV is too old for most RV parks and mechanically I can't move it very far anyway, "No gettin' over the Siskiyou's," I've been told.  So it's going to be sold and I already have a buyer, unless he backs out.  I won't get much but it'll be enough to at least give BC and me a start. 

Because I no longer have that voucher, I'm on my own re: paying rent.  At the moment I pay $350 of my $1000 income, which includes all utilities and use of their Internet. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but finding something similar seems out-of-reach, certainly around here.  Reality is $450 plus electric and Internet, I think around $600/mo. seems plausible.  When I subtract that from my $1000, not allowing for a loan payment, you can understand how gloomy the outcome appears inside my head.

If I had a grandchild perhaps they'd start a GoFundMe page; so instead I'll search with my car and teardrop, which I've owned for almost 2 years but have yet to move a foot.  That's my greatest fear, primarily because of my skewed eyesight (I've got amblyopia).  Once I know I can pull it I'll relax, but first I have to fix one flat.

I spent a couple days boo-hooing my fate and feeling sorry for myself, but to quote a favorite expression, "There's nothing for it."   Can't sit on my thumb, thank goodness we're coming OUT of Winter.  Except I'm a terrible procrastinator, have you seen our anthem?

"Procrastinating is my sin; it brings me endless sorrow
I really must stop doing it; in fact, I'll start tomorrow"

The past 4 months of my housing search has already taken its toll on my psyche and if I'm not careful this will harden me further. Whatever I want to keep (with the undying hope I'll eventually have a permanent home) will go into storage; this'll make one unit on each coast.

I need to put my hands on my teardrop for therapy. Fortunately, the weather has been gorgeous for days and will continue for a few more; enough to finish-finish the details on the outside. It's been my spare room, so yesterday I went through the inside with the thought, "If you want this in your next place, it goes in storage," or else in the trunk of the car for Goodwill.  I'm trying to make it livable for BC and me, without having to transfer items to the car in order to go to bed.

The only choice I now imagine is to buy another inexpensive RV, but a later model which will be accepted by private parks (for long-term parking). I've seen one restriction, 'nothing older than 13 years' which is more lenient than many places I've seen, so I'm looking at 2013 and newer models to give me a couple years before I'm tossed out.  I'll figure out something else by then, since my circumstances will probably have changed again. But before I buy the RV I have to find a place to park it, good luck to me and the Mets.  SLAP SLAP, ATTITUDE!!!

While I paint I'm considering places in the North-and-Southwest which I really enjoyed during my travels: Wickenburg, AZ; Morro Bay, CA; southern UT; much of NV; northern OR along the Columbia River.  But so far the rates are comparable or more expensive than here, not counting electricity, which will be higher because I'll (hopefully) have a larger place to heat and cool.

I can't help feeling I'm being kicked out of the nest.  I no longer pray, so whatever's pulling the strings seems to be sending me in the direction of Bubbas and White Supremacists, oh boy.  While searching (online) throughout Oregon, since my medical, et al, is still tied to the state, I found this, located a few hours north:

We have a Tiny-House-Eco-Village. We are looking for a lady who is willing to work part time in country. On 10 acre. Prefer long term. Compensation RV site or RV. Chores will be maintenance, clean up and removal of bush and work on tiny houses and must participate in all activities. Responsible for own POWER BILL. Looking for someone who can pass a criminal background check. 450/Month

"Well," my hairdresser Tiffany observed, "if they're advertising for a woman, then it can't include things like cutting trees and hauling logs."

"That's what I thought."  To continue,

Included in the ad were several photos of roomy, rustic-looking spaces, one with a small travel trailer like my first; and this clip-art woman.  I was a Workamper (exchange labor for a place to park my RV) at Community First and help out at Hope Village, (both tiny-house communities for the homeless) so I called and left a message, which was immediately returned by a pleasant-sounding man.

"Have you checked out the website referenced on our ad?  It was clearly posted," he said almost immediately.

"I saw it, but I'm afraid once I read tiny house village (and compensation RV/space), I called right away."  We continued chatting for awhile but for some reason he sounded cryptic.  I was trying to comprehend the precise duties required...grounds maintenance?  Check-in?

Well hell, am I the only one who doesn't know that AANR stands for the American Association of Nude Recreation?!  I thought it was something like AARP or Camping World.  A stranger conversation I've not had in a long time.

"I guess I'd have to be naked, too."

"Certainly.  But we're all adults, everyone minds their own business, no one stares."

I was imagining the opposite of The Emperor's New Clothes.  "I wouldn't have a problem with what anybody else does, but I'm afraid I'm too self-conscious."

"We're all older...you can't fight gravity."

"I know, but even when I was in better shape I never felt comfortable skinny-dipping or jumping into hot tubs with other people.  I was raised by a Prude and I guess I've become one."

He's been raised this way since 6.  "Oh, no, well, if you ever change your mind, give us a call.  You sound like someone who would fit in here."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind in case I lose my inhibitions."  Unlikely, since I always wore clothes on the boat.   If they'd used a clip-art woman wrapped in a towel maybe I'd have been suspicious.

"Certainly gives new meaning to bush removal," I said to Tiffany, who was in stitches.  But as she pointed out,

"At least you have ONE option!"

All I have to do is strip.  That's when I decided to share my quest, enjoy!

P.S.  To receive new posts, simply contact me and I'll send a note when I've written something.  Rest assured, email addresses are NEVER shared.