Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
Sun Jun 15, 2025, 11:42 PM Jun 15

Moving ain't for sissies. (Aging neither.) But we got re-situated at last. We are in a good place.

Subtitle — Around the New Farm.
Thanks each and every one of you for your prayers, your good thoughts, your positive vibes and however else you fervently affected our 200 mile moving journey. It all helped!

Our new home. Shadow approves.


A family of killdeer lives here in the front yard!


This is how KC made the entire trip.


Here, now, he finds comfort in slipping back inside, when he's not lying on our bed.


Shadow was a champ the whole trip. Once we settled in she was plain poopered out.


Laurie set up her recliner in a good spot.


AND she set up a temporary but useful computing station.

60 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Moving ain't for sissies. (Aging neither.) But we got re-situated at last. We are in a good place. (Original Post) George McGovern Jun 15 OP
Wow, Nice Place montanacowboy Jun 15 #1
And we crossed the Columbia alright, but watch for "slow down bumps" each new bridge section. George McGovern Jun 15 #3
Wow montanacowboy Jun 16 #12
Congratulations on your move! leftieNanner Jun 15 #2
Oh Wow Thanks leftieNanner! Sounds like delightment was worth the effort. George McGovern Jun 15 #5
Snoopy! leftieNanner Jun 16 #42
Hey leftieNanner -- Yes, it worked. Snoopy appeared soon's I clicked on the link. George McGovern Jun 16 #59
I love your new home! SheltieLover Jun 15 #4
Yw SL! Ty! More moving in pics to come in next week's usual postings. George McGovern Jun 15 #6
I'll be looking forward to seeing them! SheltieLover Jun 16 #7
Ty SL! George McGovern Jun 16 #19
Ty SheltieLover! George McGovern Jun 16 #20
Looks like Shadow is adjusting nicely. Polly Hennessey Jun 16 #8
Your perception, Polly, again is on the money. That is what is happening. Thank You! George McGovern Jun 16 #21
I like your new home! And old guys with white beards are the best (he said modestly). rsdsharp Jun 16 #9
Thank you rsdsharp. The move had its downs and ups. In the end we got here. George McGovern Jun 16 #22
I'm glad you all survived the move, and it is good brer cat Jun 16 #10
Thanks brer cat. Yes, we accepted, tolerated and survived the move. It's turning out well. George McGovern Jun 16 #24
What a beautiful place! It looks so comfortable and you look so happy! usonian Jun 16 #11
You said it, usonian -- maintainable, beautiful, comfortable and happy. Thank You! George McGovern Jun 16 #31
Looks like a sweet spot! dchill Jun 16 #13
Thank You dchill! We are very fortunate to be here. We'll post up more pics this week. George McGovern Jun 16 #32
I don't know how anyone can move..... BigmanPigman Jun 16 #14
I gotta tell you BigmanPigman, it WAS exhausting. Draining emotionally and physically. George McGovern Jun 16 #34
Congratulations! Looks like a great house and I love the land around it! slightlv Jun 16 #15
Thanks slightly! You know what it was like. I'm glad your move did not do you both in! George McGovern Jun 16 #35
Looks like everyone made it in great shape. democrank Jun 16 #16
Everyone did make it, democrank, in pretty darn good shape. Thanks so much! George McGovern Jun 16 #36
I am so glad you all made it safely. I like it too. I love that porch. LoisB Jun 16 #17
Thank You Very Much Lois. Never had a porch before. George McGovern Jun 16 #37
Wow! 2naSalit Jun 16 #18
Holy Cow 2naSalit! You've been through a serious relocation! We're 73 -- naps do help a lot! George McGovern Jun 16 #38
Glad you made it. Beautiful place and the fur babies look right at home. Walleye Jun 16 #23
Thank You Walleye! We borrowed the cat carrier from our daughter. It's much George McGovern Jun 16 #39
Congrats on your new farm AND a successful move! The new place is very nice - LOVE that porch - highplainsdem Jun 16 #25
I'm with you! Scrivener7 Jun 16 #27
I'm with you too Scrivener7! How'd you know!?! Takeout was Papa Murphy's Pizza! George McGovern Jun 16 #43
You got it hpd. Many advantages to being here. Cooling breezes do drift in, nice. George McGovern Jun 16 #40
That looks georgeous! All that space! Congratulations. Scrivener7 Jun 16 #26
Thanks so much! This is the nicest home I've had in all my 73 years. George McGovern Jun 16 #44
hubby and i are in our 70s and we are inna house that is a hip breaker samnsara Jun 16 #28
M advice is to bite the bullet and do it now rather than later. Katinfl Jun 16 #29
Thank You Katinfl for your very good advice. You have clearly learned from your experience. George McGovern Jun 16 #47
Hi samnsara, I replied to your post earlier today, but it must've gone somewhere else. George McGovern Jun 16 #46
Lol, KC! viva la Jun 16 #30
Yes they DO viva la! Thank You! George McGovern Jun 16 #48
I had one who crawled up in to the bookcase viva la Jun 16 #54
They are that viva la! I've begun a weekly series of pet postings in this forum. George McGovern Jun 16 #56
Hi George and family, Diamond_Dog Jun 16 #33
Thanks so much DD! We all four were able to handle it -- well enough to get here. George McGovern Jun 16 #49
Looks lovely. applegrove Jun 16 #41
Thank You applegrove. It is. George McGovern Jun 16 #50
Congratulations on the move and on the awesome new home! Staph Jun 16 #45
Now how in the world did you know Staph!?!? Porch swing is on my wife's list! Thanks! George McGovern Jun 16 #51
Oh, my gosh, Allan, that looks like the perfect spot for retirement. Biophilic Jun 16 #52
Thanks so much Biophilic. Most all went well, despite the 200 mile journey to here. George McGovern Jun 16 #55
Definitely your best shit eating grin. Good for all of you. Biophilic Jun 16 #57
Awww, you're so sweet Jane . . . George McGovern Jun 16 #58
Your new place looks great, congratulations! Americanme Jun 16 #53
Thank You Americanme! We were on our former farm for 23 years. George McGovern Jun 16 #60

montanacowboy

(6,535 posts)
1. Wow, Nice Place
Sun Jun 15, 2025, 11:46 PM
Jun 15

Looks like you have some acreage also, hard to find places like that. Good to see everyone made the trip safely!

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
3. And we crossed the Columbia alright, but watch for "slow down bumps" each new bridge section.
Sun Jun 15, 2025, 11:51 PM
Jun 15

Thank You montanacowboy! This is the nicest house I've ever lived in. Wrap around porches front and back. Nine acres, plenty of space for Laurie's two horses and Shadow has her own 1/4 acre fenced yard.

leftieNanner

(15,996 posts)
2. Congratulations on your move!
Sun Jun 15, 2025, 11:48 PM
Jun 15

We moved 2.5 years ago, and it wrecked me for a while! Moving at 70 ain't for sissies. We had a 9 hour drive to our new house. Snoopy was a champ! We're delighted to be here now.

Snoopy says hi to Shadow.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
5. Oh Wow Thanks leftieNanner! Sounds like delightment was worth the effort.
Sun Jun 15, 2025, 11:54 PM
Jun 15

I'll pass on Snoopy's Hi to Shadow. Would you happen to have a photo of him (her?).

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
59. Hey leftieNanner -- Yes, it worked. Snoopy appeared soon's I clicked on the link.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 09:10 PM
Jun 16

I just sent you a DU mail message with regard to your great Snoopy photo.

Thanks,
George

SheltieLover

(70,786 posts)
7. I'll be looking forward to seeing them!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 12:01 AM
Jun 16

I'm glad Shadow approves & I hope & trust KC wll adjust.

For dogs, it's all about being with their pack. For cats, it's much more about their territory.

Enjoy your lovely new hone!

rsdsharp

(11,006 posts)
9. I like your new home! And old guys with white beards are the best (he said modestly).
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 12:17 AM
Jun 16

I don’t envy you the move. When we bought this house 22 years ago, I told my wife to settle in because I was only leaving screaming and shouting, or in a box.

So far, so good.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
22. Thank you rsdsharp. The move had its downs and ups. In the end we got here.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:47 AM
Jun 16

Laurie and I were at the old farm for 23 years. Planned for it to be our last home. The upkeep did us in. She found this new farm and so far, so good. Thanks!

brer cat

(27,015 posts)
10. I'm glad you all survived the move, and it is good
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 12:19 AM
Jun 16

to see you settling in. Shadow seems to feel right at home!

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
24. Thanks brer cat. Yes, we accepted, tolerated and survived the move. It's turning out well.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:56 AM
Jun 16

Shadow's getting there. The former farm was all she had known for her eight years. Yet she is proving remarkably adaptable. Every time we go to move another load into the new house she comes with us, picks up her blue Jolly Ball and carries it around in her strong jaws.

usonian

(18,766 posts)
11. What a beautiful place! It looks so comfortable and you look so happy!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 12:32 AM
Jun 16

And it looks so maintainable!!

This is not about me, but you're an inspiration. I just finished my 100 feet from the home "defensible space" weed whacking and deadwood removal, and at 76, I'm pooped. It's crazy steep near the home. I can see you cruising on a riding mower. Many happy, happy, happy years at the new place.



‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed
To turn, turn will be our delight
‘Till by turning, turning we come round right.

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.


Just Laurie and me, and pets they make four
We're happy with my blue iMac

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
31. You said it, usonian -- maintainable, beautiful, comfortable and happy. Thank You!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 09:21 AM
Jun 16

Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, Seattle

BigmanPigman

(53,282 posts)
14. I don't know how anyone can move.....
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 01:46 AM
Jun 16

It is exhausting. My parents did it when they were 83 and I know I could not get that much energy if I had 10 cups off coffee a day. I think it is emotionally and physically draining.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
34. I gotta tell you BigmanPigman, it WAS exhausting. Draining emotionally and physically.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 10:36 AM
Jun 16

Yet it needed to be done. No choice in the matter. Thanks.

slightlv

(5,953 posts)
15. Congratulations! Looks like a great house and I love the land around it!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 01:46 AM
Jun 16

I salute you in getting this accomplished with you guys still in one piece! We just did an in-city move about 5 years ago, and it nearly killed the both of us! (LOL) I have great respect for what you did. I hope the house and land and great ambiance of the home gives me many, many years of peace and joy.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
37. Thank You Very Much Lois. Never had a porch before.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 10:46 AM
Jun 16

The front porch pictured wraps around at left and continues down the other side. There's a separate porch on the backside.

2naSalit

(97,216 posts)
18. Wow!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:11 AM
Jun 16

I didn't realize you were moving. I just relocated almost 3,000 miles earlier this month.

It's hard to move while ageing. Hope I never have to do that again! Still trying to settle in, it takes a while. I came down to near sea level after being up around 7 - 5,000ft for 20 years, it's just hitting me now, naps help a lot.

Congrats on a successful move!

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
38. Holy Cow 2naSalit! You've been through a serious relocation! We're 73 -- naps do help a lot!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 10:57 AM
Jun 16

I hope your near sea level life works out well as can be.
Thank You Kindly!

Walleye

(41,287 posts)
23. Glad you made it. Beautiful place and the fur babies look right at home.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:50 AM
Jun 16

I have a cat carrier kind of like the one KC is in. It works really well. Best of luck and way to go!

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
39. Thank You Walleye! We borrowed the cat carrier from our daughter. It's much
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 11:02 AM
Jun 16

nicer than the one we had but couldn't find, which was just as well, better even!
KC did really really well for a first-time traveler who couldn't see where he was going nor why in the world he had to go there, wherever the heck it was.

highplainsdem

(57,105 posts)
25. Congrats on your new farm AND a successful move! The new place is very nice - LOVE that porch -
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 07:34 AM
Jun 16

and you and Laurie and Shadow and KC seem to be doing very well settling in. (Recliner and computer first, check.)

All those windows should make for cooling breezes indoors, too - and the scent of any flowers you have blooming - and with that porch you'll be able to enjoy having some of the windows open even when it's raining gently, which is a lovely plus.

Scrivener7

(56,212 posts)
27. I'm with you!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 07:37 AM
Jun 16

After recliner and computer, make the bed and order takeout. Everything else can wait till after a night's sleep and a couple of Advil!

samnsara

(18,563 posts)
28. hubby and i are in our 70s and we are inna house that is a hip breaker
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 07:58 AM
Jun 16

..we always said we need to get out before we hit 80..and im 4 years older than he is. I love our home..its in the mountains with our own private forest ( lots of wild life!!) but its on a steep hill that needs to be plowed every winter..hubby is showing lot of signs of mental decline and Im not about to crawl on the tractor and plow. We are 10 miles from town and the closest neighbors are either un approachable or old like us...and our family is spread all around the US.

So I read your story and think that I need to get out of this two story house before long. I would LOVE a setting like you just moved into..I dont want neighbors and i want lots of land.

Thank you for getting this fire under me lit again!

Katinfl

(398 posts)
29. M advice is to bite the bullet and do it now rather than later.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 08:26 AM
Jun 16

It sure won’t get any easier if you wait. Sounds like you have a lot to take care of right now. We did an interstate move 6 months ago from a 1700 sq.ft.home to a 1100 sq.ft.apartment. We are both 78 and we love it here. The move was hard but we are glad we did it when we did. We are in a 55+ new complex, amenities galore, pets welcome. Best part is if anything goes wrong, we call maintenance. Point it, you and your spouse have to decide when and where to move and then just do it if that is what you decide. The burden of maintaining your current place will just get harder and harder. That’s the reality. Good luck with your decision.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
47. Thank You Katinfl for your very good advice. You have clearly learned from your experience.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 05:55 PM
Jun 16

Passing it on was a wonderful thing to do.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
46. Hi samnsara, I replied to your post earlier today, but it must've gone somewhere else.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 05:52 PM
Jun 16

At any rate I agree wholeheartedly with Katinfl's advice above.

I have sent you a DU mail message with more information about our moving experience. If I have re-kindled your inner fire so much the better.

Thank You,
George

viva la

(4,148 posts)
54. I had one who crawled up in to the bookcase
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:57 PM
Jun 16

and slept on top of the books, which were all of different heights. It couldn't be comfy... but I guess it was to a cat! They're so bendable.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
56. They are that viva la! I've begun a weekly series of pet postings in this forum.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 07:15 PM
Jun 16

Mondays are for our puppy dog Shadow. (Now postponed until tomorrow due to yesterday's post which has run over into today.)

Wednesdays are for KC. Day after tomorrow I'll post a bunch of him adjusting to his new digs.

Thank You for your kitty cat insights!

Diamond_Dog

(37,517 posts)
33. Hi George and family,
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 09:28 AM
Jun 16

Your new home is absolutely beautiful! And plenty of room for the animals too!

I can’t imagine picking up and moving at this stage of the game, myself …. Like someone said above, it is emotionally and physically exhausting. Looks like you both handled it extremely well! Best of luck getting everything settled! I’m glad your computer is up and running! TY for sharing all the great photos! Looks like KC and Shadow are already good with everything.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
49. Thanks so much DD! We all four were able to handle it -- well enough to get here.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:12 PM
Jun 16

YW 4 photos! TY!

Staph

(6,418 posts)
45. Congratulations on the move and on the awesome new home!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 02:24 PM
Jun 16

I covet your porches. You need to get a porch swing - gently rocking on a porch swing in the evening breeze is a little touch of heaven on earth!


Biophilic

(5,832 posts)
52. Oh, my gosh, Allan, that looks like the perfect spot for retirement.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:26 PM
Jun 16

What a super looking house for the 4 of you. Yeah, KC will adjust...eventually, says anyone having lived with a cat. I love the self portrait at your desk. You look great. Congratulations on the successful move to all 4 of you.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
55. Thanks so much Biophilic. Most all went well, despite the 200 mile journey to here.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 07:08 PM
Jun 16

'Twas a team effort, getting here.
My wife Laurie, our daughter Terry, and her best friend/real estate agent all agreed they liked this property at first visit. Subsequently, they all three, were here first in line for the initial open house showing. Laurie offered the owners their asking price and it was accepted the next day.

re: self-portrait — as Laurie focused the camera, I promised her my best
shit-eatin' grin. Guess it came out that way.

Americanme

(239 posts)
53. Your new place looks great, congratulations!
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 06:37 PM
Jun 16

I've been in our big old house since 1992, I know in 15 or 20 years I will be unable or unwilling to take care of it, but I dread the thought of moving.

George McGovern

(7,959 posts)
60. Thank You Americanme! We were on our former farm for 23 years.
Mon Jun 16, 2025, 09:24 PM
Jun 16

Any time the thought of having to leave one day cropped up we ignored it. Hoped to stay there the rest of our lives. As we got older, we are now 73, the farm work got harder and harder and reality rose up. We had to face the dread.

We are glad we did. I hope when the time does come that you can deal with it.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Photography»Moving ain't for sissies....