5:30am. Finishing my morning practice at my partner Lachlan's house in N Portland.

This week marks the next step in moving from this city—where I've lived most of my adult life since 1987—to Fiddletown, a rural town of 187 people where I've found real healing in nature and discovered my Witch in a Lab Coat self.

In four months I've experienced a cellular change. This Mel showing up today is not the same person who left in October. She looks the same, and I realize that's confusing for the people who've known me here for years. It's confusing for me too.

I'm concerned about interactions I may have this week—have these changes settled in my cells enough to be my north star?

Perhaps this is a day to put on the lab coat, take notes, be curious and see how it goes.

The first step this morning is moving the rest of my "stuff" out of Steve's house.

One step at a time. The Mel on this new path moves forward.

The land and my Grandmother Tree in her transitional space will be there for me when I get back next week.