2013 Highlights: Moving to the Small Town of Sequim, WA

People often ask me why I moved to this little town of 6,600 people. After living in the greater Seattle area since 1984 I was a little nervous about losing my close proximity to Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble and the Apple Store. But every time I came to visit my friends at the Precious Life Animal Sanctuary I relaxed into the thought a little more. My breathing was deeper and I felt happier. Except for my kitchen equipment, I’m pretty much a minimalist so I figured all my stuff would fit in a 10′ UHaul truck. 

It did. Barely.

Sure, I thought about hiring movers, but there was something very empowering about getting behind the wheel (with my trusty dog as co-pilot) and doing it myself. Driving onto the ferry I thought less about what I was leaving and more about what lay ahead. Because the rental market was so hot, I had to take a chance on living in a house I hadn’t seen yet. 

My dog gave it a thumbs up. And I did too. Fully fenced back yard with a sunroom. Coming from the noise of the city and a sun-deprived high-rise apartment it was a good choice. Sequim is known for rainbows. This was taken from my backyard one of our first days.

Within a week of moving, I got involved with the Olympic Theater Arts. Walking to the theater instead of battling traffic and the limited parking of downtown Seattle was a relief. I could hardly believe my ears when the casting director said I got the lead role for ‘Becky’s New Car.’ 

You’ve heard the term, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.” This became my mantra for the summer. Not only did I have to memorize 2 hours worth of lines (a lot of monologues), but soon realized the part required me to change clothes on stage. Burlesque it was not but still pretty wild! 

It was liberating. I played Becky who started wondering in midlife if there was anything more than just being married, having a job and a kid. So in the changing clothes on stage scene, she’s dressing up not for a man, but just to feel good about herself. It’s a funny, yet thought-provoking play. I loved every minute. Couldn’t have asked for a better director or fellow cast members.  

Between the play and giving talks at the amazing Nash’s Organic Produce farmstore, I feel more a sense of community than I ever did in Seattle. Seattle has a lot going for it, but there’s nothing quite like living in a small town for a while. I like getting organic produce the day it’s picked from farmers I trust. The strawberries were out of this world delicious and more of my favorites are the purple carrots, purple cauliflower and purple bok choy. I’m beginning to see how our spiritual development is tied in with the high-vibe food we eat.

My friend Camey and I volunteered at the world famous Sequim Lavender Festival. More purple! It’s fun to have friends come to visit. Unlike living in the city, when friends come to visit they come for a few days. Sequim is located on the Olympic Peninsula so it takes a day by ferry and driving a few hours to get here from Seattle. 

Robert Grillo, Executive Director from Free From Harm, came for a few days too. Of course we went to the Precious Life Animal Sanctuary. Had a most amazing day hanging out with the animals and taking loads of pictures. This cow, Martini brought in over a thousand likes on his Facebook page within a few hours.  

I’m sitting in Suzan’s coffee shop now. We have nicknames for each other. I like being called Pameluv. Another thing I probably wouldn’t have done in the big city is Kareoke. My friends and I go down to Krush on Thursday nights and are able to sing as much or as little as we like. Halloween I dressed up in my Zoro cape with sparkly arms and hat. I made a mask out of this little thing I found at the Goodwill. Before I cut it up Ruby tried it on. 

There’s nothing quite like singing full-out. I was high for a week after Halloween. My friends and I were singing full out to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Even the really horrible singers are giving it there all and you’ve gotta love that. Now I’m a regular on Thursday nights. Having the mic in my hands and knowing nobody really cares and yet they want me to sing my soul out is refreshing beyond words. Between that and my drumming circle my spirit is flying high.

With all that said, I do find a need to go back to the city once every month or two. When I first moved here, I didn’t understand when people said they had to leave to really appreciate it. I’m looking forward to going back to the city on Monday, stay with friends for a week or two. Leaving Sequim, you get off the ferry and spill into the madness of traffic. It’s fun for a while. The variety at Barnes and Noble, seeing my old friends at the Apple store who continually support me with any technical questions and having a plethora of Vegan options. That’s probably the part I like the best. 

Overall this year has been amazing. Thanksgiving was a little rough, but the life lessons were good. Moving to a small town some people might not think there’s much to do, that hasn’t been my experience. There are plenty of events, but the pace is much more relaxed. Working online, I can do my work from anywhere. Who knows where I’ll be at the end of 2014. 

For now here are some of the places I walk my dog, take my computer and lay on the earth to do some vocal toning. Heaven.