Space-Wacking

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Today, before I’m scheduled to work in my part-time jewelry sales role, I’ll be at home and doing serious weed-whacking. My target will be redefining too-long unused pathways in the “wild part” of my small acreage. I’ve been too busy for some time to continue a long habit of strolling regularly in the unused area and now want to revive the disappearing paths.

As our city grows in population and complexity, I’m ever more grateful for having a small acreage that still seems countrylike. It’s a space that lets me feel apart from anxiety-causing city stuff. Being outside while feeding my horses and chickens lets me feel distant from citylike unpleasant noises, problematic clusters, traffic problems, and overpowering construction.

A space of my own gives me feelings of connection to this location. I assume my more personal connection exists from finding this place and staying here. The deep connection might connect to early memories and cultural associations from growing up in semi-rural Oklahoma. Another connection, less deep but equally important, is that unique characteristics of my place, like those old pathways, still offer a sense of peace and joy.

Walking on these paths isn’t exactly pretty. I’ve fought through tall weeds and often have stumbled over hidden rocks. The area is entirely rocky and still wild. During my early years here, I wished for the area to be more garden-like, but that’s long past. I’ve learned that leaving a space unkempt encourages a sense of freedom.

Dear Friends: Leaving a space keeps a natural area lovely, in its own way. Diana