Agreements Larry and Jane,* out of the goodness of their hearts, have developed what one might call a non-intentional community. Aware of the difficulty of finding affordable housing, they’ve opened their home to a variety of people. As Jane says, “We don’t have a lot of money, but we do have housing. It’s one of […]
Read More...Tools for Your Home-Mate Selection Process
She knew she hated dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. It didn’t seem so important when she interviewed to live with others in a large house. She fell in love with the room, the house and the location. She noticed the dirty dishes but internally she shrugged and thought, “I can live with it.” So […]
Read More...Remember “POSSLQ?” Now it’s POSSSLQ!
POSSSLQ is the phrase that Sharon and Deb use for their relationship. When they got in touch with me and I read their booklet, POSSSLQ: ELDERS LIVING OUTSIDE THE BOX, I was deeply gratified and excited. Their experience is one that I know is possible if and when we are open to it. It goes beyond […]
Read More...The Five Commandments of Keeping a Tidy Household
As someone who has lived with a series of flatmates, I learned for that initial interview to ask, “Are you neat?” Of course, everyone answers in the affirmative yet the the reality is that we have lapses when it comes to keeping our home in order. That’s why I came up with five commandments for […]
Read More...The Golden Rule and Its Mate
“Morning,” greeted Stephanie as she walked into the kitchen where her home-mate Nancy was sitting in her bathrobe and drinking a cup of coffee. “Morning,” said Nancy. She continued, “You should know I’m going to go visit a friend in a few weeks, the weekend of the 16th. I’ll be gone from Friday until late Sunday.” […]
Read More...When Genna and Sally Met — House Tour
This is Part 3 of a continuing story. Links to Part 1 and Part 2. Genna opened the door. “Hello, hello, welcome, welcome” she said to Sally as she held the door open and Sally stepped into the house. Sally smiled and said, “Hi, it’s good to see you.” Sally looked around. She was standing in a […]
Read More...Cooperative of Friends—A Lively Life
It became a cooperative. Julie and friends from college had a vision of living together. And where many of us may have enjoyed conversations where we dreamed about maybe living together, these friends actually did it. In 1979, they bought fifty acres in New Hampshire. Eleven years later, they moved into the house they built […]
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