2004-07-29 - 9:10 a.m.
Blee, blee, blee...
I don't even know what to write about today. I want some Pizza Hut, so I think I'll have that later. I know, I know...I could eat pizza from any of the authentic, Chicago-style pizza places near my house, but I don't want them. I want greasy Pizza Hut pizza with the half-cooked cheese, no meat. It's a craving.
I have seven more days of summer school, including today and I'm excited. I leave for vacation on the 14th of August and I absolutely can't wait to go. I love the Northwoods more than anywhere, even Hawaii. I could see myself living Up North. I could never see myself living in Hawaii. I don't like being surrounded by that much water and having the mainland so far away. Even if Hawaii is gorgeous, I still wouldn't want to live there. I'd rather live in the woods with the bears, the deer, the pitch black sky (except for the billions of stars you can see), the sound of the water nearby, and even the damn bugs. And you know I hate bugs, but not enough for it to discourage me from living in the woods with them.
What I like most when I'm Up North:
-the small town atmosphere
-the sky at night, even though I don't like to look up a lot (makes me dizzy)
-the sounds the water makes when you just listen to it
-the dog(s) swimming in the lake, through lily pads, peeing while squatting in the water (yikes!)
-sitting on the pier with my feet in the water, trying to see the fish
-looking down the gravel road that leads to the house
-the peacefulness that the pictures I take can't capture
-the sounds of the rain and how violent and scary the storms can be
-the little shops that line downtown
-the meat, the meat, the meat
-garlic-stuffed beef tenderloin at the fancy restaurant that's down the road
-the filet and sauteed mushrooms at the "neighborhood" place up the road
-the knick knacks I get each year and how I remember where I bought them
-the ornaments at the Christmas stores (I get dog ornaments every year.)
-the chocolate covered toffee from the specialty shop we always go to (I always buy at least four pounds, and sometimes wind up eating two pounds while I'm there! Hubby buys what they call "bear paws," and they're HUGE!)
-the sounds of the dogs' paws as they're galloping down the trail
-chasing after the dog(s) when she spots a rabbit or deer
-depending on the time of year, the sound of the hunters
-the bears (help!)
-the miniature golf and go-carts with the Hubby (although, no go-carts this year because I'm pregnant.)
-the fires we build in the pit at night
-the screened-in porch that allows me to enjoy the outdoors without getting mauled by Wisconsin's state bird, the mosquito
-REAL cheese and REAL ice cream (I always come home with lots of it.)
-giving the dog(s) a bath with the hose (cold, cold water that she loves when she's there)
-the winding roads that lead to the house that seems like it's in the middle of nowhere (and it really is)
-the sounds the trees make in the wind
-remembering why we love each other so much and how lucky we are to have met
-the escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, relishing each moment I'm away from it
-how everything in life just seems to make sense when I'm there
The Northwoods is my Walden. It is everything I need and everything I dream about. I get that from my Dad. I wish I went there more often. Even though it's solitary, I'm surrounded by bugs, creatures, and stars. I'm reminded that I am just a speck on this planet, insignificant in the great big picture. It grounds me.
I will miss my house when I'm there, but I will come back loving it more than ever. It is bittersweet to come home because I'm reminded that I can't live like that all the days. It makes me appreciate what I have and it makes me dream about and strive for what I don't have. And, really, what are we if we don't have dreams and goals? I will teach my children how to love the woods, too. It is imperative that you have somewhere you like to go when you need to get away. The woods is just perfect for me. I know exactly how my Dad must feel when he's there. And you never feel it unless you're where you love to be.
And the Northwoods reminds me that I'm a grain of sand in this beach that is called the Earth. And as long as I'm there, I don't mind it at all.
