Читать книгу My House Our House - Karen M. Bush - Страница 16

THREE

True Colors:

Meet the Cooperative Householders

First, we’d like you to know a little about each of us, in her own words – about our professions, our families, what is important to us individually, and how we see ourselves.

Jean: “Always Moving Fast”

In the four years before buying the house with Karen and Louise, I had a series of major life transitions: starting a business, becoming a grandmother, changing jobs, divorce after 39 years of marriage, moving from a house to a rental duplex, culminating with the move to Shadowlawn.

With much on my plate, I always move fast. I’m determined not to miss anything, especially opportunities for fun with friends and family. People come first. I most admire those who are independent, clever, have integrity, and are kind. I see myself as a nurturing people person, but I expect my friendships to be equivalent.

Ladies at leisure, from left: Karen, Jean and Louise

My work life is multi-faceted. I continue a part-time nursing career, while running a home-based business. I am concerned about social justice and the environment, interested in politics, and I contribute both my time and money.

Sometimes I bring all these interests and values together, as I did by merging poetry and song for a church program to raise awareness of the human injustices that permeate this world. One of my nursing specialties was therapeutic humor, a way to help others heal by helping them choose a perspective of humor and laughter to lower stress and reverse negativity.

I’m whimsical and practical, optimistic yet concerned and proactive about financial realities and security. My children and their families are primary. I invest time and energy only in what’s important to me. Life is short.

I have an eclectic sense of style that includes a little country, some antiques, contemporary touches, some crystal, lots of pottery, fabrics for clothing and furnishings from batik to silk; all is governed by how it makes me feel. If an item brings a smile to my face, it’s in. Our combined possessions create a pleasing effect in the common areas and I often find myself moving things to find the sweet spot. As often as not, someone else moves it back; such is life in a community.

Karen: “Elegance in Simplicity”

I’ve been called a study in contrasts. As someone who travels half my days for work, my life is structured and organized. Paradoxically, I’m a risk-taker who has chosen change, travel and adventure over a settled life. I never miss a beat for clients, but I sometimes neglect personal things, like meeting the deadline for our state’s mandatory car inspection.

It’s a matter of priorities, of placing the needs of others ahead of my own. I always help others, but my strong independent streak makes it hard for me to accept offers in kind. Louise and Jean keep trying.

I’m a techie. I enjoy the latest, best-designed equipment – which clashes with my desire to have a minimal number of objects around the house. (I joke that I’m going to “become a Buddhist, renouncing material cravings, just as soon as I have everything I want.”)

My books reflect my primary hobbies: cooking, photography, reading historical fiction (with Dorothy Dunnett my favorite author), and gardening. I might take a month to research and prepare a garden for one rose bush, but the resulting roses will be extraordinary.

I am long-married, long-divorced. I love mentoring young people, including students during my previous career at a small college, and the children of friends.

Some friends call me “Mother of Beardsley” (the cat). Some who don’t know me well have mistakenly assumed that Beardsley is my son. But she is a black and white cat named after Aubrey Beardsley, a British illustrator of striking, black ink drawings.

Aesthetically, I seek “elegance in simplicity.” Having too much stuff around annoys me. So I ruthlessly apply my own guideline: if I haven’t used something recently or it does not hold sentimental or financial value, I dispose of it, preferably by giving it to someone. I had just finished renovating my Sears Roebuck cottage to that standard, a perfect little place for one cat and me. But I never got to see my English cottage garden grow.

Louise: “Comfy in Her Skin” (Maybe)

Others think I’m “comfortable in my skin,” but appearances can be deceiving. They probably assume I’m supremely confident because I’m assertive and opinionated. While prone to jump to quick conclusions, I also try to be fair-minded. People who know me have probably figured out that I need time to warm up to new ideas, but might eventually come around to their point of view, or at least compromise. While determined to do things my way, I can be flexible. Seeing my impact on others, I adjust accordingly.

One of my core beliefs is that people should speak up for what they believe in, even when it is difficult. I try to live my principles in practical ways. Like Karen, I’m very independent and resist asking for help, although I’m generally happy to help others when needed.

By profession, I’m a clinical psychologist, providing services to children, adults and families. I thrive on a busy pace but secretly yearn for more time spent reading or puttering in the yard and garden. I really love a good political or intellectual discussion – the more controversial, the better. And I’m proud of being a decent amateur singer.

Before moving to Shadowlawn, I lived alone happily for six years, post-divorce. My fast-paced lifestyle made me rarely home and never lonely. One day, it occurred to me that I might as well be living in a furnished room, not needing the space of the Cape Cod where I had raised my son and daughter, a crowded little house that I decorated with an eclectic, busy touch and lots of color.

Beardsley: “Feisty Feline Survivor”

There’s a rule among our friends: no lengthy pet stories at social gatherings; they can get boring. But we’ll violate the rule here, because this adventure would not have happened without Beardsley, a feisty, female black-and-white Tuxedo “mutt” cat with a chin spot goatee.

“B.” is a survivor. More humanoid than cat (we know, everyone says that about their cat), she is moody as well as strong-willed. Although normally well behaved, Beardsley can be provoked . . . and provocative.

Here’s a prime example. We remember it fondly, though it was infuriating at the time. Beardsley was banished to the outdoors during a fund-raising event because some guests were allergic to cats. But she sneaked back in and retaliated, dashing across seated guests’ laps, dipping her tail in the whipped cream on their desserts, tipping a cup of coffee, and then disappearing almost before anyone knew what had happened.

Also lovable and cuddly, Beardsley began it all.

Beardsley: “Of course I did; all things revolve around me.”