Innocuous Living

Where's the drama? Where's the artistic expression? Where's the cute video? Welcome to my reality, folks. Living in a tiny house is like living in a house - that just happens to be tiny. I think the lifestyle being innocuous is a high and unglamorous compliment.

And then there are my friends who have tiny houses that are artistic marvels, that have more dramatic lives, that really could be producing intriguing videos. But, privacy, you know? (But the one where the bed rises up into the ceiling to reveal a sitting area is very cool.)

Every move to a new house comes with a period of adjustment. The ones I've had that had big yards took seasons to reveal what was there. The more rooms meant the more time remembering where everything was stored. The more walls provided more opportunity to post art, because otherwise the blandness showed.

Moving into my tiny house has taken adjustments, too. I've been here just over two years and I've only just found that I have rhubarb, chamomile, and mint - and probably more stuff. It is easy to know what is stored here versus in the storage unit. The inventory is memorable, and largely out-of-the-way. The art, well, most of the walls are covered with cabinets or windows. That's part of the inventory, a stack of wall art in boxes in the storage unit; though my photos on translucent satin hang over windows nicely. 

I've written before about missing the socializing spaces, but that is a choice. I've configured this house to be a writer's house, a place to write and produce, not a place to entertain. Alas. 

I miss having a garden, but that is a consequence of HOA rules, not tiny architecture. A garage, actually a carport, would be nice. Some neighbors have them, though the HOA rules say they shouldn't. Ah, but in a free country, rules are frequently treated as guidelines, if the authorities approve.

Every month I endeavor to write something about tiny house life, and plan to continue doing so. There's some yard work to mention. Redesigning my emergency preparedness kit is strongly recommended because I live near earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, and volcanoes. What fit in my carport now has to fit under my smaller deck. And like any house, there are maintenance issues. A small ornamental garden bed collapsed a few weeks ago. I may have found someone who can build a slightly bigger deck, with special considerations for a mobile tiny home. That sort of thing.

Some media makers can conjure drama. I plan to continue for a drama-free life, at least as far as living in a tiny house is concerned. Hey, I'm a romantic. Some dramas are fun, especially the romantic kind - or so I am told.

A house is worth celebrating, especially when you witness those who have none. But a house is not everything. A house is a vital thing, and it is surprising that some fight those who want to live; but after that basic human need is fulfilled there are other parts of life to fill.

More about that later. For me, it's time to get on the bicycle, ride into town for lunch and a few meetings. Gotta live, and glad my housing life can be as innocuous as it is.