Harriet Markell Markell

In 2017 I moved from CA to the wilds of northern WA State, almost to the border, to a stunning little town on Puget Sound, called Bellingham. About 90,000 people, many of them artists of one sort or another. Tons of hiking/walking trails, in town and surrounding going up to Mt. Baker. The place is eye candy - gorgeous views everywhere. Just what I wanted. Then. See below.

I did some consulting in CA for the first few years here in Bellingham, but now have fully retired. I have a little rescue Cairn/Dachsund mix (we think) who is the sweetest thing - but with issues, which prompts me to sharpen my dog training skills. I’m involved in the Jewish community in a variety of ways (currently VP of the congregation) - a lot of wonderful folks and very sweet Rabbi. And planning at some point to start exploring my creative side - I sing in the little group at temple and with a community chorus here.

Post Script: I made Aliyah in April 2023, having dreamed of living in Israel for 10 years, since my first trip. It's been a wild ride, given the political situation I moved into and then the war. And life is hard here, especially for a 77 year-old single woman with no family connections here. It's not a first world country, and not speaking Hebrew makes it that much harder. But I'm learning, slowly, slowly. I serve on a board that raises shekels for food-insecure kids (Jewish and Arab) and hoping to do some writing and "marketing" for an organization that addresses issues related to separation of religion and state. I have made some friends and am in awe that I'm here.

Left my dog in the US - transition was going to be too much for a 10 year-old little girl. To my horror, I found out about 10 months later that due to a freak accident, she had run off and has not been seen since. I am beyond heartbroken. Maybe will get another dog in a year or so, when I have a real life :-)

Moved to Jerusalem in April 2023, leaving a political mess in the US and walking into 1 here -- then the war
Bellingham, WA - 6 years after I retired
SF Bay Area off and on since I left Cleveland after college
Portland, OR for 12 years, when it was still a small town
Seattle, WA for 3 plus years, before the tech mess
Cleveland, briefly - was great being back there in the mid-aughts.

Glee Club! And my good friends, dances (won a few dance contests). I know I had some great teachers, but honestly, I have trouble remembering their names - and my Cauldron is still packed away.

I just have had such an appreciation of the richness of everything about Heights - and especially of the quality education we had. I think we were very fortunate!

Yes