BASSACKWARDS
At times, it seems, we are better off if we start at the wrong end of some things.
It is not at all unusual for people who live here in the spacious Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to seek to build havens apart called “summer camps”. Their intent is, as they put it “to get away from it all”.
None of the cities in the area have advanced to the state of such complex urban excess which would cause an individual to feel as if he or she was forced to live in a ghetto of some sort. Instead of escape, of getting away from it all – they are,
in truth,seeking to enjoy more of same in a privative, more fundamental, generic sense.
A friend of ours felt he had to have a “place in the country” to get away from the several acres of front, back and side yard and gardens they had in town. He found just what seemed to suit his desires about thirty miles west of town in the mountains. It was isolated. That was an attribute, at first, but came to be recognized for what it was in time.
He built a small house on that field in an open area on the side of a hill. It was a ramshackle sort of thing which like little Eva “just growed.” In time it came to be called “The Shack” within the family. It proved to be inadequate, so an addition was added and,in time came another extension to the shack. Year after year was added until the camp became too long and was turned back upon itself until it became a semi-circle of lumber and glass on the hilltop bristling awkwardly in bright sunlight. Time spent there became a drag.
After five or six summers of hard work,experience dictated that they abandon the you did-it-yourself summer place and buy a small log cabin, already built in high woods several miles closer to town with neighbors less than a mile way on each side. Other than air conditioning and a few other such conveniences, the cabin had all the comforts of home and they loved it and kept it for the rest of their lives. In truth, it seems, they found the cabin to be a welcome respite from the harsh rather formal, oh-so-proper lifestyle in the city city. As “professional” people - whatever that term means – they owned a large house in town, drove several fine cars. Basically they were “country kids”- both of whom felt uncomfortable in their advanced economic circumstances where they were thought to be living “the good life.”
Many of us need such “cabins”, I suppose. We cannot waste years building, modifying and re-building mis-matched retirement “escape” sites without serious intent and purpose.
The usual – even recommended methods of doing so are not always best for everyone.
A.L.M. April 16, 2004 [c489wds]
