Thoughts of a wannabe...: Roots

I read a quote somewhere that said in so many words that when you think back fondly of your hometown, that it is your childhood you miss, not the place. Obviously this person did not grow up in Neal, Kansas. I was pseudo day-dreaming as I listened to the Blitzen Trapper song "Furr" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmBgxP56R1I&ob=av2n which made me yearn for some sort of Walden Pond. As I left consiousness and floated above my own body I got the feeling of total and absolute oneness. Ha sorry. No but really what came to me was that I grew up in one big Walden Pond. What did Walden have that is so attractive? Let us explore the qualities. Solitude- This one is almost too easy If you do not believe me please look at google maps and type in Neal, KS. If one wants to get away from people you do not need to hardly leave Neal, there is something like 35 people living there, give or take 5-10. If you take a mile bike ride in any direction you come to places where only neanderthals and coyotes have ever been. Next Walden had inclusion into nature. Some of my fondest memories are spending entire days on Homer Creek just fishin, throwing rocks, make believing, sleeping, and exploring. I never remember it being too hot or too humid to go out and about on "my river". Thanks extra weight and A.C. Next, W.P. had a sense of escape. Now I know this is close to solitude and leaning too much towards escape rather than solitude is not good but let me try and clarify what my mind thinks. Ha. Solitude is extended time to be alone both physicaly and mentally. It is time for self-reflection and introspection, for pondering metaphysics and theology. Escape is something to be used sparingly and shortly. There are times when one is over stressed or just plain angry. You do not want to, and maybe should not, go and think or meditate on things so what you need is something to vent your pent up feelings or to break away from something weighing on you. You escape. I could always head to my river and escape. No judgements, scoldings, pressing needs or fear. I could yell at the trees, throw logs in the water or just lay in the grass and veg out. (pardon the pun) What is great about escapes is that they can evolve so easily into sanctuary and solitude. One should hardly ever act when in high emotion or deep depression. Once you have gotten a little more even keeled meditation is what should come next. In this way you can plug back into your life with others.

I love that I am from such a simple and mystical place. I was not born there but I spent most of my life there so far. When I visit the ma and pa time slows down and creeps along with the languidly of a lazy heifer in a bluestem pasture. (that is a cow I believe) Don't worry if you have never heard that term, it's just stuff we cow folk of Neal, America use. I feel badly sharing this with you and know that most people in the world will never experience the Neal Valley. If you ever get the urge to wade in Rocky Ford or fish for perch in Bert and Jan's creek, I'm sure my parents will give you a tour in their now famous Go-kart. Yes, they are in the Neal 4th of July Parade.