Let's talk about settling

It has been a while since my move from one little village to another.
In my previous blog post I was still sorting all my belongings and packing numerous removal boxes.

I was surprised how many things one can gather over the years. It was a mix of more then one household and what wasn't needed or 'to sort out on short term but it never happened' was boxed and stored in the garage.
Anyone who moved more than once will admit that it is the best opportunity to get rid of what you never missed over the past years, or what you probably will not use in the future. Or more realistic, what does not fit in the new home which is considerably smaller then the previous home.

Apart from taking much to the skip and the charity shop, I was also able to provide friends with nice things. Giving is so much nicer than selling, particularly when a happy face says "Thank you!"
I could not have done otherwise than giving warm hearted because I was surrounded by wonderful people who took the time to help me shifting. One couple even cooked meals for me! And not to forget the moral support from friends all over the world. I know, what ever I gave them, it will never be enough to express how thankful I was and still am.

I will not go deeper into the move other than that it was a logistic nightmare but I survived. The weeks or even months around the move can best be described as a 'tough job with lots of over time'  and a 'full time work out'. And yes, my physical condition definitely improved! (There is always a good side to everything!)

I loved my previous house, I lived there for over 10 years without one day of regret and I felt so sorry for the house that I was not able to maintain it anymore. It deserved new caring owners and that is what it got.
But I also love my new home, a small rental cottage in a fishing village close to the Wadden Sea.
From day one I felt comfortable and at ease. Of course, decorated with precious items which have been in the family for many generations, I had to feel at home. But it is not just that. It is the home it self. Built in 1890 and gently renovated over the past century, it is now up to the modern standards but still with originally features such as beams and wooden floors.

It does not have a garden at the back but a nice cosy patio where I spend more time reading and enjoying the sun than I ever did before.
It is situated in a tiny but very hospitable fishing village with a church with an 800 year old tower where the church bells still ring every 30 minutes to announce the time. I love the sound!
There is a wonderful Pub 'De Kalkman' where they serve several local brewed beers and very tasty food for very reasonable prices.

I also love the sound of the seagulls, geese and all other Wadden birds. I love the smell of the Wad.
I love that special light near the coast which changes every other minute.
A day can not start better than standing on top of the dike watching the clouds, the sun, the tides, an occasional sailing boat spending the night and waiting for high tide to leave again.

A village is only hospitable by to the people living here. They made me feel very welcome, do not

Photo by Ike Roelfsema Photography

hesitate to introduce them selves and to take the time to talk to me. I already received home grown apples, plums and raspberries.
They asked me to participate in the Village Fair by creating an oil painting (first time in my life).
The Fair was so nice although I did not attend the big parties at night. All streets were decorated with colourful small flags and lights and home made artistic creations which have been photographed by the many tourists that enjoy the village and the Wadden Sea.

I love the sunshine but also the rain and are looking forward to the famous sea mist that suddenly appears to cover the village in a mysterious soft grey light. I love the spectacular sunsets and cloud formations.
I do not have to explain my camera being my loyal companion.....

Happiness my dear readers, is all around me and I realize how very fortunate I am.
I share this happiness with you and if you ever want to visit 'my' village drop me a message.

Lots of love,

Helen

Time....

Did you notice time flies?

Today it is 8 months ago that my dear husband passed away. Ever since, the concept 'time' changed completely. Sometimes it feels much longer than 8 months and sometimes it feels like yesterday with all the past months still ahead of me. At that very moment I feel the pain even more and with the knowledge of today, an uncertain future.

Don't take me wrong, I am not afraid to fight for my future. I am not afraid to be forced to look for an income, to find a job but sometimes it keeps me awake as, be honest, at 62 finding a job is not that easy.
But I have always been a fighter and that did not change. My glass has always been half full and that did not change either.
It is time, my dear readers, to list the good things that happened to me!

First of all against all odds, I published my first Dutch e-book (Observaties) in March. On the right side bar is listed where you can order it. I am happy to tell you e-book no. 2 is on its way.
It sells but only occasionally although the reviews of the readers are very positive! Still, I receive quite a few request to translate it to English and that is what I am working at (besides my novel). Stay tuned for more information!!

I created a Facebook page which is well visited, please take a look and follow me if you like : Helen Varras' Facebook Page
I also have a personal Facebook account, you are very welcome as my friend: Helen Varras

And there is my twitter account (the amount of followers keeps growing): Helen Varras on Twitter
Plus Instagram: Helen Varras on Instagram and Pinterest: Helen Varras on Pinterest
Last  but not least and very important, my LinkedIn account: Helen Varras LinkedIn where I listed being a (freelance)writer, author, editor, translator and blogger.

You are right now on my 'private' blog but as you will have noticed in the top bar, there is also a Dutch and an English Blog. The Dutch Blog is all about updates and short stories. The English Blog is an occasional update and more and more short stories and I love to tell you more about the English short stories.
I love Instagram, the beautiful photo's on there are a joy to watch. I also found some beautiful people on there with my private account. But what I also found are photographers of abandoned places. Search for #abandoned on Instagram and have a look yourself.

Three photographers however, touched not only my heart, but their photo's also inspired me to write stories. There is so much to view and without doubt, there are so many unknown and untold tales attached to each photo!
I asked them if I was allowed to use some of their photo's to write a pure fictional story to it. And to my great joy and thankfulness, they said yes. Of course at the bottom of each story is a 'word of thanks' and a link to either the Instagram account or their websites and please, visit them.
To my astonishment I receive far more feedback to my English stories than my Dutch. Yes, I understand very well that English is a worldwide language, hence my translation of my first e-book.
Isn't it beautiful to be able to grow worldwide? To me it is a blessing.
But there is also a message to you: if you like my stories, or you want stories to illustrate your drawings or photo's, please contact me and let us discuss the possibilities.
Or if you have written stories in English, Swedish and German and you want me to translate them to Dutch (or from Dutch to English) you are of course also very welcome!

Besides all this I am hoping for people to get to know Helen Varras a little better. I want people to know that writing is my passion. I love it!! Stories evolve in my head during the day (or even in my dreams) and I think of it as a huge miracle to put these thoughts into words and into stories; short stories or a book.
I reserve my mornings for daily routine duties in the house and the garden and the afternoons and if I can't stop writing, the evenings for writing. And of course I can not resist participating in writing contests.
To my great joy I was one of the winners of a contest! I sent two stories and both stories will be published in a book (read more about it here) And not only that, one story ended at the 2nd place!!
Wow, I was (and still are) over the moon!! This is so encouraging, a confirmation that I have chosen the right new direction in my life. Still a long way to go and lots and lots to learn but this is something I can only look forward to!

This was on the writing side. Personally I am surrounded by wonderful people, most are my own friends but I also inherited some beautiful friends from my late husband. Everyone of these 'mixed' friends really care, are not afraid to talk to 'a widow', they are people who openly talk about happiness and sadness. Who love, laugh and cry with me. Who listen and who hug. Who send me flowers or little present. But above all, who encourage me to write, write and write.
How can I fear a future when surrounded by so many honest people? I don't! I am blessed and are well aware of it.

Thank you beautiful people!!! Sending you lots of love.

Helen