29 May 2026
This weekend I closed on a house.
Sheâs a beauty. Just the right size. Just the amount of rooms I need. Sheâs located in a kayak-loverâs part of the state. Iâm walking distance to a bayou and a river.
But there are a few drawbacks Iâm encountering. The last thing I want to do is complain in real life, so Iâm just going to catharise (I did confirm thatâs a real word) by writing them here.
1. Because my new house is in a rural area I have two addresses - physical address and a mailing address - and this has wrought havoc on me trying to get my utilities in order.
2. The drawback to all that water I mentioned is that the house is in a low lying area. I had my first flash-flood storm last night and the water came pouring down the road faster than the drains could remove it, and a little mini lake started to build up. Now, the rain slacked and gave the drains time to do their thing, but I was getting nervous there for a minute. Concerned about the next hurricane now.
3. Iâm learning that this house is just ever so slightly damp. Not really damp, thatâs too strong, but slightly more humid than it should be. Not enough that the fabrics feel damp, or that there is a film of moisture on any surfaces, but enough that my skin feels just the tiniest bit clammy. And I do not like it.
This is probably the exact amount of moisture that people who use humidifiers are aiming for. Itâs probably excellent for my sinuses and houseplants. But Iâm a humidity-nonexistent, artificial climate control kinda guy.
Weâre in our rainy season right now though, and the air outside is like wading through a pond, so Iâm hoping this problem is seasonal.
â˘But now back to the good stuff:
1. I have been living in urban cores for the last decade. During that time I never had more space for planting than what would fit in a pot on my balcony. Now I plan to actually build and grow a full kitchen garden in my south-facing back yard. Iâve also got room for a little courtyard and a fire pit. Iâm looking so forward to transforming my little plot of earth.
2. I am buying a kayak. Because obviously. I cannot wait to get out on the bayou and explore all the little cypress groves and hidden inlets.
3. While I have mixed emotions about being pseudo-permanently back in the Deep South, one thing I do love about it is the architecture. And my little house has super tall ceilings that both manage heat, and look beautiful. Going to spend a mint on window coverings though. (Theyâre also probably the cause of the humidity. More air to condition.)












