It’s hard for me to actually be serious when I’m writing a blog, but I will make an exception in this case. Those of you who read my last blog were asking about our upcoming move. If you didn’t read it, you may have been wondering why I haven’t been posting more lately.
In a few weeks we will be moving from here in Charlottesville to Virginia Beach. We have decided to move into the house that Patty’s parents owned and lived in for many years before they passed on. It has been rented out for several years but permanent rental resulted in the house being abused and misused. It was completely renovated a few years ago and since has only been rented to friends as a vacation getaway. Anyway, we are going to retire there and enjoy the beach life. One big plus is that the house is mortgage free, so financially it is a better situation for us.
A lot of folks have asked us how we can stand to move away from our granddaughters who are only a few minutes away. Well, they are growing up and now occupy almost all of their time with friends and activities. They used to come over to see us pretty often but that has reduced dramatically. The place in Virginia Beach, only 2 1/2 hours away, has a nice private beach only one block from the front door and a canal in the backyard that goes out to a small fresh water lake. We know this will be an enticement for our daughter and granddaughters to visit quite often. We may actually have more quality time with them than we do now.
Also, we have been in an apartment here for the last four years which is starting to close in on us a bit. Patty misses her gardening a lot and I will look forward to not having to walk the dog 4 times a day during the cold winter months. She will have complete run of the backyard, not to mention occasional beach walks.
I will certainly miss the lovely Blue Ridge mountains here in Cville. Hailing from upstate New York and the Adirondacks as I do, I have always been a mountain lover. Patty was a navy brat so she is more accustomed to the beach life. So, we will be content to get our “mountain fix” whenever we come back to visit the girls. As for the blog title, I will keep it, although I technically will no longer be a “cvillean”. But no sense confusing both of us with a new moniker.
So, for the next few weeks we’ll continue packing and running things back and forth from the beach. The actual move is June 7th and the movers will move us in on the 8th.
Well, that’s my excuse for fewer than normal posts. It’s really more due to writer’s block, but since I have this other thing going on I will use it. If you are interested, the slide show at the end of this blog will give you an idea of where we are going to live. Included are pictures of some of the different heron species and other wildlife that let us share the backyard with them. It’s not very far from the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Our beach is actually on the bay, not the Atlantic Ocean that most people associate with Virginia Beach.
One side note, we will now be spending some time with our new friends Susan Okaty of the blog Coming East and her husband George, who also live in Virginia Beach. We have already gotten together a couple of times and look forward to developing our new friendship further. Also, Patty’s sister lives on the other side of the lake so there will be plenty of family time as well.
Anyway, if you’re ever in the area and happen to see a grizzled old guy with a metal detector combing the beach, take a minute and say hey to your old pal, Al.
The Cvillean 
Wow, 40 comments, your readership really has jumped here!! I’m very jealous if your move. I come from Dublin which is a small bay surrounded by small mountains. I still miss having the sea view from one window, and the hills from another.
If we stay in this (cold) country, we will eventually move to Brighton which has both sea and hills again…. Bliss (and The Lanes – a great selection of eclectic and hippy shops)
Lots of luck with your move!
Thanks Madeleine. Really enjoy your site!
It sounds wonderful! Hope the move is successful and you and Patty are happy.
Thanks Tilly Bud. Come see us for a beach vacation.
I will!
As soon as I win the lottery 🙂
We’ve always fancied doing a road trip across America. If we ever make it happen, you’ll be on our list.
Where are my manners?
Thank you for the invite.
Does Patty know what you’re letting her in for?
The beach life in your future looks mighty nice. And the Rockies are just a plane ride away 🙂
Got my tickets right here in my desk drawer!!
It looks absolutely gorgeous. What are those funky birds please? Thank you for explaining the source of your blog name too. Change is always hard. For better or for worse. But it’s rarely that concrete, most of the time change is just about balancing pros and cons. All the best with your move. 🙂
Thanks so much, eye. Those two funky birds are the Lesser Blue Heron. The bigger bird on the dock is the Great Blue Heron. They are among the many birds that occasionally stop by to see us. Others are the White Heron, Egrets, Cormorants to name a few. And that’s before we get over to the beach to see the ocean dwellers. I’ll be starting a photo journal documenting all the species. Look for it in a future blog.
That’ll be cool, they’re very different from what we have around here. Thank you. 🙂
Ah Shucks, and I thought you were moving down here to be closer to me.
Shhh….no one is supposed to know.
Moving away from your daughter is a bit of a wrench I understand but there do seem to be some pretty awsome compensations in terms of the views and facilities. I should think your grandchildren could well “pop over” often with these things on your doorstep. Good luck with everything. It sounds pretty good to me
Thanks, ducks. We are, indeed, looking forward to many “pop-overs”.
I. too, may well find myself counting ducks in the near future.
Hey, Al, it sounds and looks like this is a great change for so many reasons. Sure, I’ve missed you, but I understand why. Seems like this a time when lots of my blogger friends are signing off temporarily for a variety of reasons. I’ll be doing the same. You’re moving and I’ve got to get moving on this little memoir that has taken up too much space in my head and not enough space on my hard drive!
Good luck with the move and don’t over-do it. You want to enjoy that lovely beach when you get there! Just let me know all is well with okay? I’ve grown kind of attached to my Pal, Al. 🙂
Thanks, Lorna. I promise I won’t overdo it. One thing I have learned during this time on earth is the importance of pacing oneself.
Good luck with the memoir.
Your pal, Al
I can’t think of a better place to live. I love Virginia and you are moving to one of my favorite areas. I lived near water much of my life and love the sea. David is also a water baby. We both love the “flatlands.” You may find me down there eventually. Good luck and enjoy the wildlife.
Thanks Dianne. I hope you will let us know if you do come this way.
How wonderful! How exciting! What a lot you both have to look forward to….I envy you being able to live on the beach and not in an apartment….I really do wish you all much love and much happiness in your new home…..
God Bless you my friend xxxx
Thanks, Patrecia. We really are looking forward to it.
I have been trying to comment on your blog but your comments function is turned off. You should go to the dashboard and then settings and be sure the “Allow people to post comments on new articles” box is checked.
I have tried everything Al…now I have ticked everything so maybe it will come back but thank you for telling me ,,,love P xxxx
Well, don’t get me started on change. You know I hate it. I admire your attitude and your “Just Do it” follow through. I’ll be thinking of you often and sending hope and wishes for a smooth transition your way.
Thanks, Barb, very kind of you. As hard as I try to lead a boring life, change always comes along and makes it more exciting. Go figure.
I’d like to get my reservations in now for the first week in August. Our room will have a jacuzzi, fluffy bathrobes and basket of chocolates I assume? (good luck with your move – it really looks lovely!)
Oh yes, all those things plus free internet (your blog followers should never go wanting) Just send your credit card number with the code (it’s those 3 numbers on the back) and it’s all yours. Standard cancellation policy applies (within two weeks – 50% refund, within one week – complete forfeiture of deposit.)
Seriously, thanks for the comment and hope you WILL come our way someday.
I know you have mixed emotions about this move. We bought a grill in preparation for our many cookouts with you, and we can sit down with a glass of wine or a Brooklyn Ale and talk about those emotions. Hope the move goes well, and if you need any help from us, please, please, please don’t hesitate to call. See you soon!
Thanks, Susan. I don’t think we will have to call on you but knowing we can makes a big difference. We are doing fine and starting to get excited about getting settled in. We’re now living amongst a mountain of boxes here so it will be a relief to have some room to move. Very much looking forward to those cookouts! We were looking at grills ourselves last week.
Thanks for the comment and hey to George.
Did you two know one another before blogging? I’m curious about “bloggy” friendships that slop over into “real” life – how possible that is.
Hi Al. I hope this goes through. It’s Cindy here. What a nice piece and slideshow about your new digs. Thanks for the update and story behind your move. Good luck. I’m sure you’ll be very happy there, and so will Queenie! You know, when you have a place on the beach, everybody but everybody visits…I know this…having spent my summers on Lake Ontario. Lots of company coming your way…hopefully me too!
Thanks for the kind comment, Cindy. Your room is already reserved and I’ll always have a mint julep in the freezer for you.
Al, my pal…. this is Kathy F… in case it makes me anon. again! All I can say is “wow.” I am soooo jealous! Well, I have always been a bit jealous of your life anyway…but this… this is way over the top! I am so happy for you & Patty! I hope to retire to the beach some day. I would prefer to stay in NC, but if it comes mortgage free, I’ll take it! Best of luck on your new adventure! Love your blogs, and read every one. I am proud to call you my friend. ♥miss you♥
Hey Kath. Great to hear from you again. I’ve missed bantering with you since I dropped Facebook. Glad you are still keeping up with my meanderings. Guess you got that habit from having to keep an eye on me at ROD. If I didn’t tell you then, I’ll say it now, thanks for catching all my mistakes.
I assume Kayla is home from UNC Wilmington now. I’m sure you’re glad to have the company.
You ‘re both welcome at our place anytime you like. Just give us a call and we’ll set it up.
Don’t be so shy about making comments in the future. (Only good ones though)
As I recall… you didn’t make any mistakes!! (was that a good comment?) Yes, my Bug is home for summer, and she starts a job at McDonalds today, plus she will be working at camp in a few weeks too. I really got used to my alone time…. you have no idea what all I’ve been doing since you left FB …. (come back!!) but I was doing well with my newfound freedom! Anyway, thanks for the invite, and one day we may just give you a call & take you up on it!
Life is a series of moves for one reason or another. I agree with Jodi re: trading one kind of beauty for another. Perhaps one of these days Jack and I will meander your way and we’ll hit a few balls and enjoy a long beach walk with you and Patty. Wishes heading your way for a smooth and uneventful move and new beginning.
Thanks, Jeri. I hope you do. We would have a blast. Of course, I’ll be hitting from the senior tees, you know. The walk on the beach will be without handicap.
Excellent, well written piece on moving on. Don’t forget Mike and I. We’ll be able to pay you a visit also when we come to see our kids.
How could I ever forget the 6th grade bully? We certainly enjoyed seeing you there last week and look forward to your next visit. Tell Mark he can’t get stationed anywhere else so you have to keep coming back our way. Or, you can just come to see us!
I’m sure I would be approaching this with mixed emotions, that being said it looks to me like you are trading one kind of beauty for another.
I understand about the grandchildren, mine are still so young, but I hope (in about 10 years) to retire at which point I too will move away. At that time my grandson will be 14 and my granddaughter 10, old enough to come and spend the entire summer with Mimi and Papi. With luck and some hard work (not to mention tenacity) I hope to be a published writer by then and will (hopefully) have the discretionary income to perhaps vacation up north periodically.
I wish you, Patty and Queenie nothing but the very best. You’ve been so kind and supportive to me and intend to return in kind.
And rest assured, if you happen to be beach combing and look up to see a chubby redhead with two dogs running at you, I will not be offended if you run in the other direction. xoxo
Thanks very much, Jodi. I hope your plans will work out as well. I know you will be a successful writer.
As for the beach rendezvous, I will be running to greet you! I would love to meet you and your pups. I already feel like I know Delilah pretty well!