There is from somewhere a saying that goes along the line of "you can never go home again."  Although that maybe true on one level, it is not true on another level.  Years ago my life started out with birth in a small university town in northern Wisconsin.  I was born, I grew up in one small town on the St Croix River, and then  grew up even more in a very small town in north central Wisconsin (my parent's home was on a lake).  Eventually I went off to university in the Twin Cities...and then ultimately ended up on the west coast in San Francisco, California.

It has been, as I look back, an incredible journey.  There were times I thought I would never survive.  Yet, I made friends and lost friends,  I've witnessed birth and then witnessed death on a scale unimaginable, I have had lovers and then lost lovers, and lastly I've made friends of a lifetime...the types of friends that truly are soul mates and we recognize we are in this journey together.  Most importantly I have been blessed with true and everlasting love from both family and chosen family.  Lastly, here I still am and looking at the next step in this incredible life.

So, I bought a house in northern Wisconsin yesterday.  Most likely this will be the last stop on this life's journey.  Now I am finally returning to roots...if not "home."  In the shadow of memories of a lifetime, I am making a new home and making new memories.

Here are a few pictures of my new home:

Here it is one week later from one remarkable birthday celebration.  My nephews Remi and Jimmy made a surprise visit (the live in southern California)...and I was so surprised upon seeing them that I thought my heart had stopped.  Something seemed to have into my eyes at that moment too!

It was a day of being surrounded by love and laughter.  I found myself at times mentally taking a step away as if viewing the people and the fun...and savoring it...and thinking to myself I love each and every one here so very much.

So now it is one week later.  The happiness is still with me.  The pictures above...along with their captions...capture the day far better than any of my words could.

I am blessed.  Truly blessed.