We've actually thought about creating a generic version to help guide people through their own "Reed Retreat" because we've let some of friends use our outline. So it's good to know there's interest!
Ya! The little bit you shared about your process was already immensely helpful to me. I'm always looking for ways to tweak and improve my own process, so learning what others do is always enlightening! Thanks for considering sharing!
I love that you and Matt do an annual retreat to review your marriage/family/work—wow! I also love all the questions you posed at the end.
I have now lived in the same house in Portland for 30 years and just this morning wondered to myself how much longer we should plan to live here (Alan just turned 60 and I am 67). I don’t want to be so attached to my house that I continue to stay if living here no longer seems wise (for whatever reason) or fits with our overall shared goals. I love my house and it feels like home, as does Portland. But I am open to living somewhere else some day.
Thanks for encouraging some important reflecting, Joy! It’s always a pleasure to read your writing, too! 💜
Thank you Jody! I love your posture of openness to something new. I find myself loving new adventures while also loving the physical spaces and people I encounter in each place I've lived and wanting to root deeply. I think the filter for what home is comes down to, as you said, your overall shared goals. Well if you just want to move to a different house IN Portland, our house in Montavilla goes on the market THIS Friday. Ha... Seriously if you know of anyone in the market send them my way. Selling a house via Substack might be a first.
I didn't realize how important "place" was to me until I moved to Texas. All of a sudden, I was driving for hours looking for a place that felt like the sky, ground, and atmosphere I was used to in Oregon. Of course I never found it, although I did learn that even the plains of west Texas can be pretty with the right perspective.
To me, "home" is grounded in the land. Without horses, cows, chickens, dogs, farmers markets... oh yeah and all them kids... it's not home. Home is where your food comes from. Where the meals made and wine drank and meat smoked is imbued with place, made here, grown here, loved here. Local matters, not because it's trendy or cool, but because it's deeply human.
2. Mid-obit (what a phrase! what a glorious phrase!)
3. the whisper-fight
4. the robot talking points for dinner
Just gold, all of it. Apparently there is a new movie called The Wild Robot which you may want to consider as pre-work for your dinner guests. Also, have you done Brene Brown's values exercise? One of my favs. Also, my parents will let you come stay on the farm in Illinois whenever you would like, and you can get them to talk about robots. okay, the end.
Wow I just watched the trailer for The Wild Robot and have VERY mixed feelings. You show me distressed sea otters and I’ll need a box of Kleenex immediately. @Matthew Reed how do you feel about this trailer? Are the robots already trying to do PR for themselves? https://youtu.be/67vbA5ZJdKQ
So good to hear that you and your family are Falling Forward. Nothing is more dangerous or boring than a plan that works out exactly as planned. Love the questions you are asking, the adventures you are taking and all those little people around you making you rethink what you know, what you want and what will really matter in the end. Good questions help us pay attention to the less obvious things, little things that sometimes lead to big surprises! Your pictures were a total bonus. Not sure the look that Matt was going for.... But he nailed it!
I want to hear SO MUCH MORE about your 20 page document! I'm fascinated and I love learning about this kind of thing!
We've actually thought about creating a generic version to help guide people through their own "Reed Retreat" because we've let some of friends use our outline. So it's good to know there's interest!
I came to second this! I’d love an outline whenever you may make it available.
Working on it!
Ya! The little bit you shared about your process was already immensely helpful to me. I'm always looking for ways to tweak and improve my own process, so learning what others do is always enlightening! Thanks for considering sharing!
I love that you and Matt do an annual retreat to review your marriage/family/work—wow! I also love all the questions you posed at the end.
I have now lived in the same house in Portland for 30 years and just this morning wondered to myself how much longer we should plan to live here (Alan just turned 60 and I am 67). I don’t want to be so attached to my house that I continue to stay if living here no longer seems wise (for whatever reason) or fits with our overall shared goals. I love my house and it feels like home, as does Portland. But I am open to living somewhere else some day.
Thanks for encouraging some important reflecting, Joy! It’s always a pleasure to read your writing, too! 💜
Thank you Jody! I love your posture of openness to something new. I find myself loving new adventures while also loving the physical spaces and people I encounter in each place I've lived and wanting to root deeply. I think the filter for what home is comes down to, as you said, your overall shared goals. Well if you just want to move to a different house IN Portland, our house in Montavilla goes on the market THIS Friday. Ha... Seriously if you know of anyone in the market send them my way. Selling a house via Substack might be a first.
I would love the details on the house to share with others! Can you PM them to me?
Here’s the link! https://www.hometeamportland.com/homes-for-sale/OR/portland/97220/200-ne-beyrl-ter/bid-23-24036987
Yes! Will send link tomorrow when it’s live.
I didn't realize how important "place" was to me until I moved to Texas. All of a sudden, I was driving for hours looking for a place that felt like the sky, ground, and atmosphere I was used to in Oregon. Of course I never found it, although I did learn that even the plains of west Texas can be pretty with the right perspective.
To me, "home" is grounded in the land. Without horses, cows, chickens, dogs, farmers markets... oh yeah and all them kids... it's not home. Home is where your food comes from. Where the meals made and wine drank and meat smoked is imbued with place, made here, grown here, loved here. Local matters, not because it's trendy or cool, but because it's deeply human.
Beautifully said and inspiring to hear your experience and revelation for you and your fam!
Things that made me laugh:
1. the year of our lord
2. Mid-obit (what a phrase! what a glorious phrase!)
3. the whisper-fight
4. the robot talking points for dinner
Just gold, all of it. Apparently there is a new movie called The Wild Robot which you may want to consider as pre-work for your dinner guests. Also, have you done Brene Brown's values exercise? One of my favs. Also, my parents will let you come stay on the farm in Illinois whenever you would like, and you can get them to talk about robots. okay, the end.
Wow I just watched the trailer for The Wild Robot and have VERY mixed feelings. You show me distressed sea otters and I’ll need a box of Kleenex immediately. @Matthew Reed how do you feel about this trailer? Are the robots already trying to do PR for themselves? https://youtu.be/67vbA5ZJdKQ
I have not seen it, but some kids were telling me about the book series the other day. Yes, please weigh in, Matt. I need AI for Dummies.
I’m intrigued!!
Random, but what's your Enneagram type, Matt? Did you find a concentration of certain numbers in your Oxford program?
And no I’m not familiar with Brene’s values exercise but I’m afraid if I look it will probably result in another 5 pages added to our doc!
you just let me know if you need a new angle....it's pretty simple, maybe will add 3.5 pages to the doc ;)
but the last pic...that's the kinda of farm I'm into.
The milk looks exactly like champagne!
would that be referred to as Glarming? akin to glamping?
So good to hear that you and your family are Falling Forward. Nothing is more dangerous or boring than a plan that works out exactly as planned. Love the questions you are asking, the adventures you are taking and all those little people around you making you rethink what you know, what you want and what will really matter in the end. Good questions help us pay attention to the less obvious things, little things that sometimes lead to big surprises! Your pictures were a total bonus. Not sure the look that Matt was going for.... But he nailed it!
... amongst everything, I just love how many pens are on the bed! You guys are goals x x