​Weathering the Storm with the WP#120

It is amazing to think that I have done more driving in the past 6 days than in the past 6 months. Of course, that has to do with the fact that I have spent more time out of the country than in the country. In the past 6 days and if I include today’s last leg to the Twin Cities, from Chicagoland, I will have driven approximately 1600 miles (2600 kilometers, give or take). In the past 6 days, including today’s drive, I will have traveled through 10 states, crossed into Canada and back twice, once walking across the Peace Bridge at Niagara Falls, so seeing both sides, been to 4 Hard Rock entities (the last one today), tried buffalo wings in two places in Buffalo, did a ship inspection in Toronto, ate at a Middle Eastern restaurant in Allen Park, Michigan off a street called Bob Seger Blvd, explored Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford, where I saw many things, including one of the RV’s that Charles Kuralt used (one of my heros) when he did his show On the Road, only paid three tolls, into and out of Canada, walked along Lake Ontario and had a foot long sausage at Tony Packo’s in Toledo, Ohio. ​

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Yes, it has been quite the road trip seeing America, mostly off the interstates and seeing how things changed since I did this kind of craziness some 35 years ago. At least that is how long it has been since I was at Tony Packo’s then. But this trip is different as it has a mission, not to return to Minnesota to live, but to clean house. As I crossed from eastern to central time zone yesterday, it was not a feeling of accomplishment or excitement, just getting closer to what I must do in the next few weeks. Clean house and get things in order. I am excited to see people that I have not seen in several years and for those whose backyards, I drove through to get back to the Midwest, sorry I could not stop to say hi this time, as I have many things to take care of before leaving again. I may not be able to get it all done and I must deal with the damages of the broken water pipes at my storage unit from months ago. I only saw some pictures, so really, this is my focus, so there will be at least one more time I will return, in October. ​

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Of course, I will make time for getting together with friends, it is something I look forward to doing, but Minnesota is no longer my home. Honestly, I am not sure it ever was, simply a place I lived and stayed when I was not elsewhere, traveling domestically or internationally. This is not because I have been up in New England for almost 2 years, when I am in the country, nor do I have negative feelings, just never quite fit it.  I am not saying it was bad in the Midwest. It just never felt right. I am not saying New England in home either, it is not, but simply a steppingstone towards my move across the pond sooner or later and hopefully sooner. It is funny that of all the days of travel this time, the longest day, will be today in terms of the distance. The first day was about 350 miles (approximately 560 kilometers), and today’s travel, a bit over 400 miles (approximately 640 kilometers), but it is not the distance. It is more psychological in terms of returning to Minnesota as I do not know what to expect. ​

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I still have work to do for the business and look forward to meeting some of my Minnesota clients I gained when I was up in New England and overseas. I guess I am a bit nervous to return to a place I no longer know and being away almost two years, it will be strange. I am also an hour time difference more away from Rosa, so I must remember that, but I will be with her in early July. The fact of the matter is that years and years ago, I thought about becoming an ex-pat, maybe to one of the countries of Europe form which my family originated, Poland or Hungary or another country of central Europe. I never, in my wildest dreams or thoughts considered Italy, but that is now my total focus and where I will be sooner rather than later. Home is where the heart is and my heart is in Rome as you all know. 

In the end, I look forward to catching up with friends, getting the mess cleaned up and keeping up with my clients. I may even try to catch a baseball game or a concert, if I can find tickets, who knows. As I am trying to downsize and get rid of things, so there is less to take with me, when I leave again. If anyone wants to see what I have that I am getting rid of, feel free to connect with me, those in Minnesota, of course, because when I do move to Europe, I am going only with the clothes I bring or that which has already been brought there. I am going to get rid of or sell everything except for a few sentimental things and even then, they are only things. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I have learned to live with less and it is freeing, and I don’t want to continue paying for items in storage that I either no longer need, can use  or can’t truly enjoy. 
As always, stay safe, stay healthy and always look for the best in a situation and be patient as the best things in life are worth waiting for. Thank you as always for your support of my crazy little world and my small business. As always, I look forward to your comments, questions, concerns and continuing the discourse through whichever means you read my posts!!!