We've just moved from a secluded mountain top where we had no neighbors, no phone service, no amenities. We did this so our children can have one "normal" school year, since they never have before. Sometimes I wonder if that is a good idea, but that's a blog for another day.
We now live in a neighborhood where the neighbors are so close I bet I could spit on the house next door from my house, if the wind was right. Not that I would. That would be rude and probably get me talked about because everyone around here seems to know everything about everyone else and if they don't they like to just make it up. There's very little in the way of entertainment in these parts.
There are a couple things I missed right away. Even before I left the house I knew I was going to miss them. One is darkness. Is there anything wrong with complete darkness? Well, in big cities it can sometimes lead to crime, but this isn't the big city(and I could take issue with that theory). Anyway, why do people need lights on at all times? At my house it is absolutely dark when I turn off the lights. I like to walk around the house in the dark and look out the windows. I love to go outside in the total darkness and stare at the stars. It seems to me that people need to have some time in the dark; the real dark without any artificial lights peeking through the windows. But maybe it's just me.
The other thing I miss, that goes nicely with complete darkness, is total silence--no cars, no clicking of heaters turning off and on, no blowing of fans. There are so many little noises in our lives that we get used to.
It took me a few nights to finally get a good night's sleep here. I am getting used to the noises. They don't wake me up for the most part. I do wake up staring at the light that comes in through the window, even though there are curtains on it. I'll probably get used to that too. But in a way I don't want to. I think life should allow for silence and darkness for at least part of the night. I don't want to forget how important it is. Unfortunately, I do require a good night's sleep every so often.
I absolutely need quiet, too -- to read, to write, to listen to my thoughts. I need it for my sanity. My husband has the tv going too much -- mostly news shows featuring the talking heads. It gets on my nerves. And darkness can be nice, too. They sell room darkener window shades now.
ReplyDeleteWill you be going back to the mountain in the spring?
We do plan on going back in the spring after we get some work done on the house. I must say, life is pretty easy down here in town--it's all so convenient!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post. The idea of being someplace with real darkness and real quiet is so appealing. Why can't I do my job from a cabin in the mountains?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, EA.
ReplyDeleteI've wondered if editors are able to telecommute to do their jobs. I imagine there are so many little things to take care of during the production process that it's much easier to have a common place to work. But that's just my guess.
I hope you can find a little darkness and silence soon.