Planting Seeds and Putting Down Roots

Imagining a Low-Cost Life in Davis, California

“When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope.  We also secure the future for our children.” Wangari Maathai, The Green Belt Movement: Sharing the Approach and the Experience

As I write this, my French bulldog Margot has her paws up on the windowsill of a second-floor bedroom, looking out the window at the greenbelt below.

As is the case with me, some of her happiest outdoor moments take place on the greenbelt that winds around and through the city of Davis, connecting neighborhoods with tree-lined walkways that encourage lacing up walking shoes or mounting a bicycle rather than grabbing car keys.

I’ve been reading about retirement lately, imagining that time a decade in the future when my wife Kate and I will have to rely on what we’ve saved rather than what we will be earning to meet our daily needs. Although California is considered the second most expensive place to retire in America (aloha, Hawaii), we will likely stay in Davis because of our friends, because of the community, and because what we love about living here doesn’t cost a lot of money (with the exception of property taxes).

This past October I averaged almost ten miles a day in walks, with my son Jukie joining me for most of those miles. Living right on the greenbelt, we work in walks the way that I imagine some folks add a cup of coffee or a cup of tea into their routine: without much thought. As a result, the miles add up.

While out on these walks, we sometimes encounter large groups of what I assume are retirees exploring the greener parts of Davis together, white-haired citizens walking quickly, as if following the advice of their doctors. Some of these folks are already taking required minimum distributions from their 401Ks and 403Bs, but the ones I wave to seem to be focusing on spending time wisely (walking in nature with friends) rather than their money profligately.

Will Kate and I (or, more likely, Kate and Jukie and I) spend the 2030s traveling the country and the globe, as we hope? Or will we be satisfied with lower-cost pursuits in our hometown? Like our walks, a game of chess with a friend, a poetry reading, an hour spent journaling, or a talk at the library all come at no cost. A burrito and a water can be had for less than a ten-spot. This year I discovered that the non-alcoholic beers at The Beer Shoppe on G Street in Davis are sold at cost (to incentivize designated drivers), so I can enjoy a couple beers with friends there for less than $5, just as my mom used to do at The Grog and Tankard on Wisconsin Avenue in the 1970s.

The Stoic philosopher Seneca reminds us that “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. ” I’m grateful that our civic leaders have invested our aforementioned property taxes in Davis schools, libraries, and parks and greenbelts, for those are the riches I crave. If you are a Davisite, I will likely see you in our hometown soon, and I’m grateful for the rewards such encounters bring.

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I host a Pub Quiz every Wednesday at 7 at Sudwerk’s in Davis, and I would love to see you there one of these weeks. Thanks to The Original Vincibles, Summer Brains, The Outside Agitators, Quizimodo, Gena Harper and others who support the Pub Quiz on Patreon, where American chess champion John Langreck recently checked in. I would love to add your name or that of your team to the list of supporters. I appreciate your backing this endeavor!

Best,

Dr. Andy

P.S. Here are a few questions from a recent quiz:

1. Film. The first line of which Toy Story movie is “It’s raining cats and dogs out there!”?  

2. Countries of the World. Starting with the letter N, in what country do viewers of Raiders of the Lost Ark first meet Marion Ravenwood?  

3. Journals. Starting with the letter B, what kind of journal is made of quality paper laid out with dots?  

P.P.S. California poet laureate Lee Herrick will be reading in Davis at the Natsoulas Gallery on November 2 at 7 PM. Plan to join us!