Over my life I have spent several years (over several different instances) living out – that is, homeless. I was never a druggie or off my meds – there are a lot of North American people who live out for reasons other than those two. A lot of them are women – and more and more – they are older women just like me. I’ve written before about the pull to hop in my car and return to that life. The reasons are multiple for running from the 9-5 life but the one huge reason to stay – medical care for an ageing body. And I am sick. That and the proximity of a clean (more or less) bathroom.

To forestall the urge to flee I have created an outdoor space where I can read/write/think and, in a pinch, also sleep. It was warm today and I sat outside and do love it, especially now that I have more plants. (I got an Oregon grape – I love that plant). Here’s hoping the outdoor living room plan works and I can live outside without having to live out.