Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Judith Heartsong's Artsy-Essay contest

Anne asked me to submit an entry to Judith's contest.  I'm neither artsy nor competitive, but for Anne, I'll submit this.

What is your favorite and most inspiring possession? Tell us about it, and if you want an extra creative challenge... tell us about it without naming it until the very last sentence of your essay:):):)


Favorite and inspiring possessions.  Wow,  I’ve had so many.  Have so many even now, really.

But the one that first comes to mind is a thing that takes me away from everything that taunts me and messes up my peace of mind, from all the stuff that gets under my skin.

Cliff and I supposedly live in the country.  We had a rural route address until the telephone 911 law came through, when all country folk were given a town-sounding address with a street name and number.

But it isn't country like you imagine: On one side, I see an un-kept house and yard with a garbage bin always overflowing into the street by our driveway, raided by dogs who string dirty diapers everywhere, while the wind blows plastic bags and paper trash into our yard. 

On the other side, I see junk lined up against our property line.  A new house is being constructed there which can be seen from almost all vantage points on our forty-plus acres.  That means they can see most of our property, so it's hard to find any private place these days.

Looking ahead, to the south, I see more houses.

Children cross through our yard, looking in the windows as they pass.  They climb through a hole they created in our fence to play in the pen with my Jersey calf.  In the spring, adults climb over fences further back to hunt for mushrooms here, and laugh at me if I catch them in the act and protest.  Police show up in the neighborhood sometimes, answering drug-related and domestic disturbance calls.   

Motorcycles and four-wheelers buzz past at odd hours, and a steady flow of traffic passes on the gravel road less than thirty feet from my open living room window, sending clouds of dust inside that settle on everything.  

One possession has helped me keep my sanity.  It lets me forget the crowded, noisy world in which I dwell.  

I was afraid to ask my husband for it, because I figured he’d either laugh or get mad about it; besides, I was pretty sure it would cost more than we could afford.  But he figured out how to give me what I most needed at this time of my life.  Perhaps he laughed inwardly; I know he still doesn't really understand my need to be alone at times, but he gave me the one possession I had to have.

This one thing gave me a ticket away from the crowds, the trespassers, the noises that were slowly driving me out of my mind: the inquiring minds, the people who consider me to be nothing more than a crazy old lady, those who have no respect for anyone else's property.

And Cliff didn't break our budget doing it.

My husband took the skeleton of an old shed and turned it into a cabin for me, a cabin in the woods.  Then he dragged it far enough to the back of our place, and down a hill a way, so that when I am there, I can forget about the crowds.  When I’m at my cabin, nothing exists except the sounds of the woods and passing trains.  The only signs of humanity are miles away, across the river.  I answer to no one there except God.

Thank you Cliff.  And thank You, God, for my cabin in the woods.



(I could have written the same essay about my horse, Blue... he's my other ticket to sanity.)


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah!  So glad you entered ... and with your cabin as your favorite and most inspiring possession.  

Anonymous said...

You did good. For a time there I was thinking you were going to say Blue. I am not a story teller at all. I thought Sam of Docklines did good also.  Helen

Anonymous said...

Perfect entry! Judith's contests always pull in some of the best from the best. Glad you entered!

Anonymous said...

An excellent essay!!  Thank you for sharing this!!  I might give this a try...
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Great essay!  

I was wondering, are you walking around nude or sumptin'?  Seems to me you are awful upset about the neighbor's new digs.

Anonymous said...

Donna
This was an excellent entry to Judi's contest.  Well. done and good luck in the competition.  I enjoyed reading this.
Sam

Anonymous said...

oh what a beautiful post and I am so glad that Anne nudged you into sharing! I can almost see your little cabin and think that it must be a perfect spot to just "be". My studio is that place for me. Good for your husband!

Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing something that matters so much.

judi
http://judithheartsong.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Thought it would be either your cabin or your horse!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Donna for your wonderful entry. I love the stories about your cabin in the woods.  It calms my blood pressure down just reading about it.  THANK YOU again.    Anne

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful essay! I'm so glad you shared this, it sounds like a great place to be for some definite peace and quiet. :) ~Colleen :)  http://daily-ponderings.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

That is so cool, to have a sanctuary away from the insanity. Wish I had one to get away from the insanity on my street. I can relate. The drama, the arguing the smoking. It would drive me insane if it wasn't for my music. Still haven't solved the sleep issue though. LOL

I'm glad Anne asked you to do the Essay contest. Good Luck.

Anonymous said...

Great piece of writing!  I was just going to scan it but you hooked me in and I spent the entire time trying to guess what you were talking about!
Traci

Anonymous said...

You are one of my favorite reads and this in the reason why!!!! I had a feeling this was going to be about that favorite place of yours - your lil cabin. What a sweet place to retreat to! Have a wonderful night - Take care,
Katie

Anonymous said...

Just wonderful... You are very lucky... I live in a one bedroom apartment and would give anything for a space just for me where I can create and be.. I truly love this entry..  

Kristal

http://apoeticdreamerssoul.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

It looks so peaceful.  I want one!  -Kelly  http://pixiedustnme.blogspot.com/2007/07/essay.html

Anonymous said...

That was certainly the most thoughtful, caring and giving thing a person could ever do!  He may not 'understand' in the same sense as you, but it's apparent he knew enough to help you get that space and peace.  Wonderful!

Tammy

Anonymous said...

cute

http://journals.aol.com/psychfun/MeThinksTooMuch/

http://journals.aol.com/psychfun/somethingelsetothinkabout/

Anonymous said...

Like your entry Mosie. Paula