Conflicted III
One of the more confusing aspects of Townie life for me is the way the majority of Townies seem sleepwalk through life. I often feel like my most important job in my wandering is shaking the Townie rutways with the news that there are great treasures in your backyard. Wake up and be amazed. My wandering senses tell me there are great treasures to be found on and in every inch of our tired, troubled Earth, atmosphere included. Especially? 'Tis the atmosphere which carries the windy tides which distribute and bind.
I've been working this farm project for enough years to have navigation to quite a few local spots on automatic pilot. No surprise there. When I set up shop in a new area, getting a few spots on automatic pilot is part of the set up procedure. Sleepwalking doesnae hit my personal radar as a desireable way of life, but the skill set has purpose. Whatever the lifestyle, impaired conditions happen. It is good to be able to keep going while my brain isnae working so well or I am distracted by stormy conditions. "Engaging Autopilot, Cap'n. Hardware, check. Groceries, check. Drive thru dinner, check. Pillow, check. Signing off now. Click."
The autopilot routes have been feeling ominous since I have been letting myself call this job site, "Home." I find myself flooded with urbanized versions of wilderness horror movies where plant roots and vines are creeping over shoes and ankles to pull you under. Asphalt, sewer lines, electrical cables, etc., etc., come to life beneath my tires, tangling the undercarriage of my vehicle before I even know they are there. Once the vehicle is ensnared, the urban skyline begins its attack from above. The locals will likely band together in a lynch mob if they hear me call their "small town view" an "urban skyline," but. . . Have you taken note of your nightly glow? The biggest metroplexes in the world were once far smaller than your 21st century small town.
And the quiet voice is thanking me for the entertaining imagery and encouraging me to *just* process the blahs of the yaddahs. It is what it is, whether I understand it or knot.
The warming weather is returning the comfort to the Tinker's Den. I have been tempted to crow a bit over the ease with which the honey barn project center slid back into designated nooks and crannies. The clutter of neglect during the cold months cleaned and polished with ease. The tinker's den is a most excellant place to participate in the sunrise. I can guit my chi as loud as mood dictates. Neighbors ain't complained yet. . . Well? ? ? The owls moved out. I still miss them.
Processing. . .
Replies
Arfie, I have to say I think you should write a book on your views, of life seen through you eyes. The world could use an awakening. You have such an awesome talent for weaving words, which now makes me think that is how you ‘Weave the wild magics’. I think so many could benefit from the honesty you’ve shared in this entry.
I’ve live in both rural and metropolis areas, from cities where you never see stars filled with over a million people to tiny abandon mining towns of populations of less than 50 and more a ghost town and unworthy of even a dot on a map.
I’ve always been torn between the two settings but some experiences after living in Europe have ruined rural communities for me because of their narrow minded opinions and judging of anyone not of their kind as a demon needing to be exorcised from the area. I now settle for the in between, but I share your views here.
Truly more people could benefit from your refreshing honesty and ingenious way of writing.
Hugs & love, my friend.
I have written more books than I care to count, Vltava. Publishing is a whole different subject. I don't care enough about being published to learn which hoops to jump, much less do the jumping. I see my writing as far too valuable a therapy tool to reduce to work. Ditto for my music.
Last I heard, 75% of the world's population could no longer see the Milky Way. That was quite a few years and lighting innovations ago. I can only see smatterings of it here on this farm. The nearby small towns are more than bright enough to shadow the sky. Is it my imagination or is humanity becoming less enlightened with every new bulb? The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow. Shadows, shadows everywhere.
Oh I don’t think it’s your imagination my friend. Just because someone get illuminate doesn’t mean they become enlightened and I think you might be onto something that goes beyond coincidence.
Though I’m a little more city again, the light pollution in this area is limited still. There is still so many acres of wood and farm lands sheltered from the big city lights that you can still see the Milky Way. Essentially I only need to drive between 10-20 km any direction to be free of that artificial glow but we are also lucky to be between the bluffs that as soon as you are far enough from the river there is no sign of that false light.
Anyhow. Hugs & love my friend.
Big hug for you Arf……
I have found myself sleepwalking since I've stopped going out to work..... When I worked I was busy and had to make time for everything I wanted to do.... Now I have all the time in the world and I take it!!!.... I have to contemplate when I want to take my pooch for a walk..... xo
yes, sleepwalking is existence by rote , I think not too pleasant an ambition mind you, but my opinion is sore lacking expertise.
As for the lighting, where I live , the city light extends far into the suburban sheltering and "what Milky Way", comes to mind. Don't think I have seen it since about 1978.
"Home" may well be a simple state of mind, me thinks. Per chance, your mind is in a honey barn state?
triple hugs~