Ask Auntie Liz: Wilbur Hot Springs

Our friend Carly gave us an anniversary present of two days at Wilbur. Carly used to work at Wilbur, and we had sort of just met her when she invited us up to visit. We we so excited to go (we totally could not afford to stay there as paying guests at the time) and we felt worried that we were taking advantage. But she assured us we were very welcome and a beautiful friendship was born. She no longer works there, but does do some work days, for which she gets these trade days. Carly has seen us naked more than our own families, lol.

It's been well over a decade since then! It's just wild how time passes.

I took some binoculars and a bird ID book borrowed from my friend Chris. Not a huge number of birds sighted, but I added a few to my list. Side note--I wonder where my old notebook is from my college birding days. I'd love to look at that again. I'm pretty sure it exists somewhere in this house.

Since coming home, I've been reorganizing and getting stuff ready to be donated. So much of it is stuff I moved to this house because I simply could not make decisions at the time. So we've been weighed down by a lot of possessions we don't need. Grief does a real number on one's brain. Every time I open some cabinet I need to clean, there are old memories waiting. It's exhausting.

We are giving up the old bunk bed that I got for Ben before Henry was even born, I think. Back in the day when you had to troll garage sales and thrift stores for used furniture. At the same garage sale, I got a huge box of Legos for Ben for $20. I had forgotten that until writing this. (See what I mean? Exhausting and sad work this is.) I asked Henry if he was ready to let go of the bed, and he said he is. It's solid and easy to put together and take apart. I hope to find it a home.

Here are some photos of Wilbur;