Updates May 2026

I added a subcategory for “Scotland” under “Wander and Explore” for those of you wanting to more quickly go straight to the Scotland posts.

Kevin is busy with teaching at local Makerspaces and is on the board of directors for one. He’s doing a lot of IT-related work, including changing over their CRM.

For me, professionally, I’m building on my previous change management training and experience, leveling up so I can do the best job possible for the growth and changes my team has already started to experience.  I’m still immersed in research related to AI and education, and have moved to the “training others” and practical applications phase, including policy updates. This is ever-changing, so all these “phases” are pretty ongoing and iterative.

Personally, I’m doing more reading and writing (and not just policy writing for work, although there’s plenty of that too). I find that I like the type of writing and reading groups that don’t have set “homework” to do, but that allow people of shared interests to connect. For the reading group, you either read a book related to a theme, or any book of your choosing. You show up, meet and greet, read for awhile, and then converse afterward during a social time.  For the writing group, it’s similar: visit, set an intention if you have one, write for an hour, and then visit more (and maybe say how it went, but we’re not critiquing each other).  It’s essentially body doubling and socially connecting.

 

Time for Coffee

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When I say it’s time to make coffee, the ferrets run to the barrier – a ferret version of a baby gate – and they start dooking, ready to go downstairs. As you can see at the very end of this clip, Brigid has figured out how to zoom down the stairs as quickly as the twins.

 

Speaking of coffee, I’m regretting not bringing more of this back from Scotland. It’s so good, but my past self decided that I couldn’t return with a suitcase full of coffee beans. My current self is questioning this decision.

No Soliciting (but you can see the ferrets)

I waited awhile because Kevin likes meeting new people and chatting with them, and I didn’t want to cut him off from this source of chats with strangers. It’s all part of moving into a new home. However, after so many visits from people trying to sell us things, I finally decided that I needed to put out the welcome mat, as well as the opposite: a “No Soliciting” sign. I didn’t realize how these two items might work together to create something new.

Shortly after, the doorbell rang, and my first thought was wow, that sign isn’t working. However, it might be a package, and since the peephole was set for somebody apparently 7 foot tall (we really need to fix that), I opened the door. A young guy was standing there smiling, and I tilted my head in question. “Do you have ferrets?” he asked, nodding yes as if he hoped this would be my answer.

Wait, what?

Not what I expected. Maybe he saw us take Brigid on a leash? “Yes… we have ferrets…”

“So,” he began, motioning at the No Soliciting sign, “I saw this, but…” he then motioned toward the door mat that says “Welcome” and at the bottom: “Hope You Like Ferrets.”

Ah. Got it.

“Can I see your ferrets?” He’s looking up with a whole lot of hope on his face. Well, of course he can see our ferrets. I told him to hold on while I get them. I yell out for Kevin that somebody is at the door who wants to see ferrets.  Kevin’s thrilled, and he grabs Brigid while I get the twins. We let the guy see the ferrets, and he doesn’t try to sell us anything.

The ferrets have been shared with two sales/charity people so far, and we haven’t been here long.  Trading sales calls for the joy on people’s faces when they see the ferrets is a win.

Tentative Roots

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Brown welcome mat with an image of a ferret as part of the word Welcome, followed by the words, hope you like ferrets.

We’re mostly unpacked, but there are still some “where’s the such-and-such?” moments.  It’s feeling like a home now. I’m still trying to figure out where my 5 TB external hard drive is because Cass wants to give me a bunch of file copies and about 10,000 pictures of Magnus. That sounds like an exaggeration, but it’s an actual estimate. Kevin and I already have over 5000 of our own (I mean, the kid is rivaling the ferrets at this point). All part of being Nana and Umpa.

The entire main level is being designed to be toddler-proof. Since we already aim for ferret-proof, we were most of the way there with our strategies.  We’re hoping it’s a place people can just come to visit and relax. Grab some tea, read, do art, play games, or hang out on the patio.  I once had a place where people would come for a moment of peace, sometimes to hide, to heal, to create, and to move forward.  Not sure we’ll recreate that exactly; it was a magical place, and a very different time.

We miss our friends, many who scattered across the continent (and beyond) post-covid. Many of us have been rootless for a long while (even pre-covid). Sooj’s song “Rootless” has gained new meaning for the community.

However, this place has captured the imagination, whispering possibilities, and I’m feeling points of connection here — to the land and the people.  Maybe, just maybe…. At the very least, maybe Kevin and I can provide a central location for visiting, and we’ll see what becomes of it.

Click here to listen to Rootless by SJ Tucker.