Sara Martin, 1960
I’ve yet to fall off the face of the earth, but have made a big life change. For some time now, I’ve been thinking about moving on to a different life and finally, everything lined up, all the ducks in a row, so to speak. This past July, I listed my house on a Tuesday and accepted an offer by Friday. Three showings, three offers with the last coming in over my asking price.
You can imagine the whirlwind I’ve been in – quite the experience and really not that big a deal. A few days after the moving truck came, some neighbors helped with the moving sale for all the odds ‘n ends I left behind. The new owners said to leave whatever I didn’t want and I’m happy to know they are delighted with the property. One of them is a professional landscaper and he was impressed with my efforts. Good to know.The gardens were starting to take more time than I wanted to give, the area is pretty isolated, and I didn’t want to be concerned about maintenance anymore. It was beginning to be an albatross. So I took the bull by the horns, gave up what was familiar and have begun a brand new life.
I have two good artist friends in this area (Falmouth, Nova Scotia) and one of them knows the owner of my new home. The owner, living with her mother and daughter, was planning to return to Ontario for the daughter’s schooling and wanted to rent the house. The three-bedroom house is on 1/2 acre with plenty of shrubs and gardens. Since the owner admitted to not being a gardener, she has given me free reign. Quite a bit is overgrown, so I’ve been doing a lot of pruning. There is just enough to be fun and not have to feel obligated.
I’ve also joined Makers Studio, in Windsor, which is very close and, as a member am able to display and sell art work. This is a photo of the second birdhouse I’ve sold there.
Earlier today, I finished the painting of the fisherman in the dory (24 x 36), acrylic. It was a fun painting to work on.
Falmouth is very near Windsor, NS, which is considered to be the beginning of the Annapolis Valley, known for its wonderful apple orchards, wineries and fresh produce. The climate here is quite different than along the shore, especially the Eastern Shore. There is very little fog here, and when there is, it doesn’t usually hang around as long as it does along the coast. Another thing I like here is the abundance of deciduous trees, whereas along the shore, the trees are primarily coniferous. Funny, how what we are imprinted with doesn’t go away. Being among the deciduous trees feels more like home. There are also cardinals in the Valley, but they have never been seen in the Eastern Shore area.
It’s interesting, how we learn about seemingly small things that actually carry quite a bit of weight. I expect there may be others that would like to make a change, but that old bit of fear can take hold. As I’m sure we all know, there is a sense of security in what’s familiar and jumping into the unknown can and does, instill fear and uncertainty. I didn’t do this overnight but I sure am glad I did.
I’m really enjoying my new life here. This was a good move for me.
Editor’s Note: See more of Sara’s life and artistry in these stories.
- Sara Martin Sheffield, Destiny = Nova Scotia
- Sara Martin Sheffield, My Nova Scotia Gardens
