I don’t consider myself a happy.

.person.

When I say this to people they’ll exclaim, “Come on Jeff! You smile all the time.”

My rote reply to this is. “What’s the last thing some dogs will do before they bite you? They smile.” 

Before you go aerobic and jump to conclusions, I don’t walk around with perpetual dark rain clouds over my noggin either. Through the years I learned to lower my expectations to the point where feeling content is OK. Contentment beats the alternative of depression, which I’ve had issues with. Of course, I blogged, not bragged, about it. (The WW J  might be one of the most honest blogs in the World 🌎.)

https://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2019/04/jeffy-you-have-to-be-your-own-doctor.html

However since making the BIGLY lifestyle change of settling down in Durango, CO, I’ve been feeling more than content. I’m feeling positive and happy about my choice.

https://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2019/08/in-america-if-you-dont-have-address.html

Why so? Jeff?

I’ll break it down by category. 

Locally: 

Since moving to Durango, I found the few things a Minimalist like me requires from a small city.

For haircuts there’s Tucson’s Barber Shop. Mr Tucson has been cutting hair for 53 years. While he’s clipping away, I get an multigenerational Hispanic’s take on the local scene. A grooming and history lesson in one. 

For brewpubs, there’s Carver’s and Animas Brewing. Great beer, food and nice young people who swore on their menus, they would grant me one TV to watch the upcoming MLB playoffs. Just as long as I ask politely. 

For films, there’s Animas City Theater which screens movies that would never appear in the corporate cinemas. I’ve seen “Indian Horse” and “Peanut Butter Falcon.” Both were well made flicks. Plus the theater sells beer! 

Backcountry Experience will be my go-to outdoor gear shop. The folks who work there are friendly and helpful. However the biggest reason they will get my business is for what they don’t sell. This shop is one of the few outdoor stores in Durango that is not an arms merchant. 

For local hikes, I’m a fan of the Animas Mountain 7 mile loop hike. It’s a steady climb to the top of the mesa. Then the trail skirts the cliffs with views of the Animas River valley below, topped by the San Juan and La Plata mountain ranges above. I’ve seen wild turkeys (not the drinking kind), horny toads and one bobcat. After the first mile, I don’t see many people. Serenity in my backyard. 

Durango’s Vibe is more laid back, friendlier and feels safer than the Front Range of Colorado. For example: I lost my phone after a rib cracking mountain bike accident. A Good Samaritan found it, turned it on and contacted my brother Mike. The phone was returned to me via the Durango Diner. That nice local man wouldn’t accept a reward. There has been many other “Pay it Forward” incidents of kindness. 

On the home front: 

My neighbors continue to be quiet, pleasant and are willing to toss me a friendly wave. However, I’m picking up the feeling most wish to be left alone with their significant others or dogs, cats or guinea pigs. I’m OK with that. This is preferable to noisy and nosy neighbors. 

Little by little I’m making this former VRBO rental townhouse feel like my pad. I put up prayer flags to ward off evil spirits and mean people. If that doesn’t work, I have a mezuzah for backup. 

I purchased a La Z Boy recliner (named after me) to relax in while reading or watching the “Home Shopping Network.” 

The bird feeders are now seeing plenty of fluttering and flittering. Through the miracle of social media (Facebird), I have a lot more beaks to feed. I’m going to declare my feathered family  dependents. That way, I’ll be able to deduct the cost of birdseed off my taxes. 

After six and a half years of being homeless by choice, I’m sort of a home body now. In the past, I had no place to go to when I felt road weary and tired. Now I have a home/sanctuary. I was ready for this. 

Socially: 

I’ve attended a few community events. This is BIGLY baby steps for a Sociable Hermit like me. 

I tried a pre-Friday night service potluck at the only Temple in the Four Corners region. Let’s just say, being in a Synagogue is not my position of comfort. I bolted the first chance I got. However I gave it the old Yeshiva University try. 

I was allowed to be the token male in a “Great Old Broads of the Wilderness” Fen restoration project. For those of you who don’t know, a Fen is a type of wetland. There are 200 fens in the San Juan Mountains. Fens make up 2% of the World’s land mass. We gathered this info from Amanda of the  Mountain Studies Institute. After our class we donned work gloves and planted sedges in a 6.5 acre Fen near Ophir Pass that had seen better and greener days. All the women were friendly and respectful. I never felt threatened. A wonderful time was had by all regardless of sex. 

I’ve been to a few organized events sponsored by the San Juan Mountain Association. I’ve made contact with many people who have a passion for wild places. They too, get verklempt (Yiddish for choked up) when the topics of mountains, canyons and empty spaces in between are broached. I’m working on gaining their trust. I’m hoping to glean information about the Hidden Gems of the San Juan Mountains from these knowledgeable locals. All I have to prove is that I’m not a logger, litterer, miner or wildflower picker. Easy Peasy. 

This past Saturday, I participated in the Durango Chile Fest 10 K trail run. My first race in over a decade. The run featured a literal climb (I had to use my hands to pull myself up the last 25 feet to the top) of a gritty, gravelly hogback. I scooted down the opposite side on my butt. As usual, I came in first in my category. That’s the over 60, Liberal Jewish retired firefighters from the Bronx category. I always win that one.

On October 1st, I’ll be inducted into the Friends of the Library volunteer program. I signed up to be a substitute for the dedicated regulars. I’ll get a quick teach on how to open and close the FOL Used Book Store.  I’ll probably be the youngest volunteer too. Mid-November the FOL will sponsor a huge book sale. I’ll supply some of the manual labor shlepping boxes of books around. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to be an advocate for reading.

Have I made any new friends? Not a one, but I’m not feeling lonely either. 

Lastly the biggest reason for the move to Durango. Location, location, location. All these beautiful photos were taken a few hours away from my home. 

I’m smiling a lot these days AND I haven’t thought about biting one person. 

Cheers,

Jeff