The Goddess Ranch

Before you worry about “poor me” forced to interrupt my journey to who knows where, let me tell you a little bit about where I am.
I came back to the Pacific NW to recover. Specifically to Port Townsend, Wa. This is a beautiful little town on the tip of the Quimper Peninsula that has somehow managed to keep its Victorian roots, while moving firmly into the 21st century.
Port Townsend has many events every year- from the maritime festival to Centrum Jazz Festival. From May to September, there is a festival every week. I think.
It is a destination many people travel miles to see. There has been an influx of people moving here because of the mild weather, the beautiful scenery and the very active entertainment scene. The arts are well represented as well as the whole food, organic, back to nature ethos. 
I highly recommend you plan a visit here is you are coming to the Seattle-Washington Coast area.
I will be here for a few more weeks, before I resume my rambling.
The pictures aren’t mine. They come from the City of Port Townsend and the Fort Worden websites.

This is a really necessary post. Not about Egypt or art or any other really cool stuff. However- this needs to be done, I don’t care what your age is.

⚠️ IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, put a beneficiary on all of your financial accounts like checking savings CDs, Life Insurance, investments etc. You don't need a will for them to get to your money, just a death certificate. And make a list, preferably by hand instead of your computer, either give it to your trusted person, spouse or put it in your security box at the bank. If the person doesn't know you have a savings account or a CD at XYZ Bank, they can never go get the money. Make sure you have a trusted person that is a signer on the security box at the bank.

🗣 IMPORTANT information to get your affairs in order‼️

💰Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own.

🏡 TOD = Transfer On Death deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with your county saves your heirs THOUSANDS. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your death certificate to the county building and the deed is signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Living Will: Allows one to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions as well as other final decisions.

👩🏽‍⚖️Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if you are no longer competent to do so.

🏥Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for them.

🛍Last Will and Testament: Designates to whom personal belongings will go to, who the Administrator will be. But if you have a beneficiary on any of your financial accounts, that will override a will. For instance if you say I leave all of my possessions to my daughter Susie, but on your savings account the beneficiary is your best friend, then the money goes to your best friend

🪦Funeral Planning Declaration: Allows one to say exactly one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the services.

If the above documents are done, you can AVOID probate.

If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have an attorney to open the estate account. The attorney also has to publicize your passing in the newspaper or post publication at the county courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. - It’s a complete PAIN.

📚 💳Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid.

Make sure heirs know where life insurance policies are located. 📂

📝Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and passwords!

🚗 Make sure you have titles for all vehicles, campers, etc!

Set up a TRUST for intended beneficiaries, especially those that are too young, and appoint a trustee of said trust.

MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! - Talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes KNOWN. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate. - Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings.

⚡️Hope this helps! ⚡️Hope this lights a spark to encourage all your friends and family to take care of these things to make it easier for those we all leave behind!

My hope is that the above list at least helps you start an important conversation with your loved ones...

‼️ If this feels overwhelming to do alone, seek counsel from someone that you trust or who comes recommended by someone you trust to walk through it with you.

(REPOST-I DID) and it’s a very necessary conversation.

https://youtu.be/dBN86y30Ufc?si=ZFGqxMuPxiFmcdcc
When my husband and I would take off on another trip, he would always play “On the Road Again”. So, today I am traveling, on the road again, going to Vera, a town you never heard of in Spain. It is on the Mediterranean coast between Malaga and Valencia. A train ride to Almería, bus to Vera and taxi to apartments. I miss my husband, but I know he would be traveling with me if he could.

Willie Nelson - On The Road Again (Official Audio) Official Audio for "On The Road Again” by Willie NelsonWillie Nelson plays a vital role in post-rock & roll country music. Texas-born Nelson is an icon of th...