In the days when I went back and forth between Tampa and California every two weeks, or every other month, I had the best of both worlds.

I had my wonderful Tampa friends and life, my cute house, the great vet and kennel, my car mechanic.

And i had my wonderful life in California.

The transition was easier than you might think and always happened on the plane. I’d get on it in one life and when I landed I was fully in the other.

What is that makes me so anxious to leave Tampa? With all I have going here?

When I try to articulate it, all I can come up with is the weather and the narrowness of life here. Because everything else is really, really good.

I like cooler air. World-class culture. Free-thinking people who live and let live. Being within driving distance of fantastic beaches, the mountains, wine country and big cities. The fact that everyone “goes” all the time. An intellectual life. And of course, my friends in California.

My friends–I miss them alerady. Fortunately, I don’t see the same geographic boundaries that most people do and can be creative about finding ways to get together.

I know I’ll be back periodically. Consulting. Visiting friends.

and we’re talking about finding a way to do a season here and the rest in California.

Leaving is hard, though.