I’ve had this blog for over 10 years now, and what started out with plan to write about my kitchen compost has dramatically changed over the years. Sometimes this little blog of mine feels more like a tv sitcom, you know, a little like Seinfield, a show about nothing in particular. Yet here we all are, in season 10 of filming and the writers are now coming up with ridiculous plot lines, just to keep things interesting.
Theme for season 10 : Follow Your Instincts
Main character: Mavis Butterfield
Time of Year: Spring. Late April 2019 to be exact.
Setting: The ground has thawed and spring chores are in full swing. It’s crunch time though, this is New England after all and there’s really only about a six week period to get the outdoor projects done before BLACK FLY season hits and working outside will require a mosquito net if you live in a wooded area. If you live in the country, or anywhere near water, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Plot: After surviving her first year in the woods of New England, {which included learning the local slang, a snow storm, discovering ticks, trips to the er for tick bites, a poison ivy rash, a dog being diagnosed with Addison’s disease, trash picking at the local recycle center, a few too many lunch dates at lobster shacks, house guests, and an arts and crafts project that got out of control, Mavis Butterfield, receives a mysterious letter in the mail.
And action….
Mavis is sitting on the couch watching Downton Abby for the 100 millionth time and working on one of her rugs when her husband comes inside the house with a stack of mail and hands it to her. Mavis sifts through the mail, discarding everything but a single #10 white envelope. She examines the letter thoughtfully, but does not open it.
Dialogue:
Mavis: Someone wants to buy our house!
HH: What?
Mavis: Someone wants to buy our house.
HH: What are you talking about?
Mavis: Look at the envelope. Who do we know in XYZ? Look at the ink. It’s bright blue, like the kind of a bright blue pen that comes in a multi pack of fine tip markers they sell at Costco, or a scrap-booking store. And who addresses a letter to “Homeowner” anymore? Plus it has a real stamp. If it was bulk mail, or a mass mailing or something printed from a computer it wouldn’t look like this.
HH: What!? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT.
Mavis: I can tell by the thickness of the paper. And it feels like it has a photograph in it. And that the note was written on card stock.
HH: Whatever. Are you going to open it?
Mavis: In a minute. I want to finish this flower.
Mavis finally finishes pulling the wool strips through her rug and with the HH looking on and not sure to make of the whole situation, Mavis opens the envelope, takes one look at the photograph and starts to smile in astonishment.
Mavis: I wonder if being a clairvoyant is part of the whole INTJ personality trait?
HH: What!? WHO IS THAT? Who are those people?
Mavis: I have no idea. Let me read the note.
HH: WHO is that?
Mavis hands the HH a photograph.
Mavis: They bookmarked our house a year and a half ago when it was for sale because they thought they might be moving to the area at some point. They love our house and basically want to know if we would be interested in selling them our home.
HH: WHAT?
Mavis: Do you want to move?
***********
More reading:
Season 10 – The Letter – Part 2 and Season 10 – The Letter – Part 3 and Season 10 – The Letter – Part 4
Jenn from Ma says
I’m on the edge of my seat!
Sara L says
Me too!!!
Rebecca says
Me three!!!!
Lindsey says
Mavis!!! You have such a way of stringing us along. It’s really quite an art form you’ve mastered!!!!! I can’t wait to hear of your new adventure!
Jill says
I ditto everything Lindsey wrote except the new adventure part. I am thinking more along the lines of ‘are you nuts’, lol.
Julie P says
Oh my goodness!
Alison says
Ooh, your new header picture looks like you are in Maine… Can’t wait to hear about your new adventures. I live vicariously through you because the idea of moving is so overwhelming to me!
Martine says
I hope part 2 is tomorrow and not next week!! I can’t wait to know if you’re moving again! 😀 x
Pam H says
AGREED!!!!! *nibbling fingernails in anticipation*
SandyF says
You are right Martine! It will drive us crazy if we have to wait much longer!
Emma says
Oh you are killing me, Will be back bright and early tomorrow morning.
Teri says
You big tease you! Gotta love you! Can’t wait for part 2!!
Brianna says
I never get those letters! I only get the Realtors at my door trying to get me to subdivide my property telling me they have a buyer and it is an easy process. I think if I got one of those letters, I would seriously think about it. Not because I don’t like my house or the area, but because I’m always up for a new adventure and have moved a ton of times. I get an itch to move every now and then. Something about starting fresh and new, exploring new places, people, etc. It is exciting!
I seriously thought after reading your first few lines, “Oh no, another great blogger is deciding to stop blogging.” I’ve dumped all the others I use to regularly read or they have moved away from blogging, what now? Most of their final posts all began with the statement of how long they have been blogging.
Lolly says
Same for me. I felt my stomach lurch!
Rebekah U says
Dear dear Mavis. This is cruelty to your adoring blog followers. Shame on you.
Lisa says
Get a grip!
Lisa says
Really???
Carrie says
That’s why you have been so busy… I’ve noticed you saying over the past weeks that you haven’t gotten much done and you pushed back the secret project… I am on to you Mavis!
Granny B from MO says
And they took stuff to the recycle last week to decliner and give away stuff they weren’t using. They did the same thing before they moved the last time!! I love moving!!
Granny B of MO says
Declutter!
Becky-TN says
You are killin’ me, Mavis!!
Yep, all these “date” excursions with the hubby. Those were recon missions to look for new house, weren’t they??!!
Stacie says
Oh my goodness, we have to wait for part 2…dang it!!!! So, I wondered from all of the dining out and fast food photos you posted the other day if you were on the road to somewhere. It’s almost like road trips are the highway of junk food, drive-thrus and all the bad things I shouldn’t eat. Are you moving again????
Caitlin says
That explains being ok with only 2 cords of wood for the winter!!!
Diane says
That’s what I thought, too!
MEM says
Well, FWIW, after my home burned down 5 years ago and we rebuilt bigger, better and more beautiful, I started getting those letters in the mail – just received one yesterday! They actually make me angry because they appear to be from contractors and/or investors who don’t care that I love my house and WTF would I want to sell it?. And they are addressed by name “or current occupant”. Looking forward to reading your next installment.
Amber says
I was taking to someone last night about how gardening was in your side of the country and was wondering if the bug situation would make you want to move!
Tammy says
What???!!! You can’t do this to your readers!!!
Marie says
You are a happy person. You have not been so happy lately….so make the move!!
We have, two times in 3 years after 26 years in the same place, and never looked back. Life is so rich with opportunities now that you have raised your family and can move forward.
“Unencumbered” is what my husband calls it!
(And take the kiln, chicken coop designs, farm stand, and all of your gourds with you!!) Its a short
drive back to the PNW and heck, you already know the way home
SandyF says
What a wonderful comment Marie-how well written and kind. I 100% agree. We only get this life once-and I say go for it and make changes. Home is where your family is-and that’s all that matters.
Cathy says
Ooohh, this is juicy. (As you can tell, this is the most drama I want to experience!) Can’t wait to see what’s next. Go, girl!
Samantha says
Holy cow! I am totally sitting on the edge of my seat! Can’t wait to hear what you have to say in part 2!
debbie in alaska says
Haha. You are so good at this, Mavis! I am going to put in my guesses too. The new header photo means you have already sold the house. All the fast food/eating out means you are living between places right now. I do hope you stay on the east coast but could also see you moving back west to avoid the summer bugs, Or maybe you decided to move to the Maine shoreline where the summer breeze keeps the bugs at bay! Either way, super fun to follow along. Almost like reading a good book but only letting yourself read one chapter a day/week!
Tracy Tidwell says
What happened to this being your forever home?
Terri Lindeke says
Follow your heart. Do what is best for your family.
Where do you want to be in 5 years… what does that life look like
Dream big… this was an adventure… does it have more to offer? Is there somewhere else calling your name?
Do what feels right for you. You can always change your mind.
Cyndi says
Get out and get somewhere where there are no ticks!
Gina says
Adventure! Maybe the Halloween wreath was a housewarming gift from Mrs. HB?
Nancy D says
Okay…so I’m hanging on the statements/clues regarding Mavis wondering if she’s clairvoyant as she looks at the photo and smiles. Gets me thinking that it’s a photo of a house she previously considered? Regardless, she sure is good at teasing! The photo of her standing on the waters edge for one thing! I’m anxious for Mavis to be happy/content again!
SandyF says
That is why there is a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. Life is for living and changing and growing. Life is to keep going forward and evolving.
Mavis,
You have also experienced grief in your family, so you know how important that grabbing life and running with it. As long as you are all in agreement, then keep running!
I am thrilled for you! We love your blog and enjoy everyday adventures. I know it may seem weird-but we all have connected in ways, and we are our fun little Mavis family. But you are driving us nuts with part one!! LOL
Christa H. says
ooohhh the drama and suspense…..can’t wait to find out…maybe this is why no orchard, 2 cords of wood, new header, not much sleep, etc.
Christa H. says
WAIT….it’s the DAYLILIES!!! She’s finally going to get away from them! LOL
Kara says
Not cool, Mavis!
Anita says
Okay, this explains a lot of things, including why she was trying to clean out/eat up all the meat in her freezer. 🙂 What a ride this is going to be!
Alice says
Don’t do it, Mavis. Don’t even think about it!
joely says
The suspense is almost unbearable! Spill part 2 soon….your adoring readers can’t wait to know!
Laura Arnett says
Oh my word- I’m floored! What about mama turtle next year? Who will lead the babies to the water? Who will dig them out of the gravel and give them a chance??? Then again ticks- tons of flying – biting bugs……. Let go and let GOD Mavis- turtles been doing it for centuries-lol. Run Mavis run!
Mama Cook says
Weeeeeeee!!! This is going to be exciting!
Just throwing in my 2cents…I don’t think the new header picture is Maine…I think it’s beautiful Washington State!!!
Can’t wait to see the next episode!!!