In one of my many apocalyptic visions of the future, we all have driverless cars and Google controls their routes. When Google has long forgotten its slogan, “Don’t be evil,” it begins to force people to go places they don’t want to. It makes people late for appointments so that they lose their jobs. If … read more Off track with Google Maps
Category: Shelter
The structures that support us, how they protect us, and what is exposed when those give way. Travel as life experience offers dissolution of shelter, both physical and metaphysical – changes in time frames, cultural identity, architectural meaning, technology, tears in the fabric of society
Labor daze
It’s not that I don’t like the cabin, or my house. I appreciate having solid, wood-lined walls, and a deck where the only view is trees, hillsides and valleys. They’re both at 2,000 feet elevation, so I have a wealth of Southern Appalachian flora and fauna to observe. What I mind is that owning property … read more Labor daze
From Montaluce to Booger Hollow
Since we have the X3, we can drive straight from our condo in the city all the way to Booger Hollow in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The ease of making this dramatic transition in less than two hours makes it especially fun. We decided to do that for Labor Day weekend, but … read more From Montaluce to Booger Hollow
Remnants
I’ve been back to the house a half-dozen times now, maybe more. Each time there is some other small thing to gather up. Fragments of the life of this house. The packers, who wrapped, boxed and inventoried every single item in the entire house before carting it off to storage, randomly left little pieces. They … read more Remnants
Packing it out
I already had tears in my eyes when the big box truck backed into the driveway. Every time I walk into my house since the tree fell on it, the sight of the damage makes me cry. We loved this house so much from the moment we first walked in, nine years ago. The open … read more Packing it out
A helping hand
The wooden stairs in the physical therapy room at the rehab hospital were on a platform, with a landing in between two sets of steps. About six steps on the steep side, and maybe ten on the set with a gentle slope. The handrail was wood, on both sides of the stairs within easy reach. Tom used these … read more A helping hand
At the threshold
We were running late, of course. Everything takes longer when one of you is in a wheelchair and neither of you is sleeping very well. Tom’s appointment at the barbershop was for 10 a.m. I’d called to let them know we would be late, and the receptionist said it was OK as long as we … read more At the threshold
Fallen oak
Angela hesitated before she told me why she was calling. “Ma’am… I’m sorry to tell you this… but…. “A huge tree fell on your house.” Oh my GOD. I started to cry. I knew right away which tree it was, and I knew that the damage would be enormous. “My husband had a stroke and … read more Fallen oak
Feeling unlucky
When I went to the fitness center today, I saw a half-dozen friends who asked how I was doing. They all know about my long recovery from brain surgery and are solicitous of my health. I told them about Tom’s stroke. Several of them gave me a hug or patted my arm, and expressed sympathy … read more Feeling unlucky
Home away from home
The rain stopped just a minute ago. A slight mist rises from the hot asphalt, an accent against the deep green of the tree leaves. My shoulders drop as though I’d let a heavy backpack slip from them. Everything I can see is green. Trees, plants, just green. No cement. No asphalt except the two-lane … read more Home away from home