sign, sign, everywhere a sign blocking out the scenery, breakin' my mind

The reason that I did not post yesterday is that I left early in the morning to spend the day at my friends’ farm.  We had no internet and only bought a phone last Spring. The water comes from underground springs that shoot cold pure water all year around and the outhouse is in full running order. For as long as I have known this couple they have owned this farm and spend all their spare time fixing the old house and growing most all their food. Though they have added some modern “necessities” to the house, they kept most of it the simple way it was built after the Civil War.

The farm is five acres, most of which are overgrown flower fields. They also grow apples, corn and herbs closer to the house. The immediate backyard is a shaded grassy area with tables and chairs where they often have dinner guests.  There is such a sense of freedom and peace visiting them. My friends' energy and happiness is explosive.

Their huge project last summer was to rebuild the barn. Walking out into the back yard one would never guess the structure was anything less than original. To make it look authentic they harvested boards and roofing from two old barns in the area whose owners were more than happy to see go. Over the years they have befriended some Mennonite families who live near by and who helped plan out and construct the barn. The barn has two parts, one is where they hold dances and keep their equipment and antiques and the other section is where my friend has his ceramic studio. All of their dishes and plant pots are pieces that he created.

They are both teachers, one Art and the other History. The farm is near Lake Michigan and, after a feast of homemade bread and local vegetables in the form of soup and a variety of salads, we hiked down to the water.

I was shocked to see what made up the “public” beach: it was a stretch, maybe, 100 yards by 40 ft. It is absolutely crass and ridiculous that people can “own” beaches. I know that they do not own the water and that the public can walk along the sand. The argument that they are protecting the nature is honorable but totally wrong. (Private property is erroneous but a completely overwhelming topic right now.) Most of the area is dune grass and people would not in any normal circumstances go traipsing through there. If we do not trust ourselves to respect land than, though I do not agree with this, the conservation groups should own the land and put their own signs up that simply ask people not to walk on it.  People just need to chill out and learn how to own themselves instead of trying to buy up everything around them at the expense of the rest of us.

I find a connection here with apartment buildings “buying the sky” to keep their prices up and prevent the row house affect. 

"And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight" So I jumped on the fence and I yelled at the house "Hey, What gives you the right To put up a fence  And keep me out, But to keep Mother Nature in? If God was here He'd tell it to your face 'Man, You're some kind of sinner.'"