Nature Calling

Just kinda thinking about odd stuff today...being the odd
sort myself...

I am a true nature lover...which means that while I am forced
to live in an urban environment because of the reality of
civilization, my heart and soul will always be in the natural
world...in a beautiful forest, a deserted sea shore, somewhere
peaceful and quiet.

I love birds, insects, reptiles, animals...I think they are
beautiful and fascinating. I often wish I could live out in an
isolated area in the wilderness just to be close to nature, and
away from the hassles and stress of civilization.

While most 'normal' people just hear birds chirping...if they
take the time to hear them at all...I can often identify which
bird it is just by the particular songs they are singing.

I know, I am weird...but I think 'bugs' are just so cool. They
remind me of little robots. They can be so beautiful. I used to
go out at night and collect crickets and katydids when I was a
kid. To this day, it would be impossible for me to see a
praying mantis and not pick it up and check it out. Cicadas
remind me of little frogs:



Of course, I hate things like ants, fleas, mosquitoes and
cockroaches INSIDE the house...but even these things
are fascinating and wondrous to study and learn about.

When I retire, I plan to sell my suburban house and move to a
small town somewhere in Arkansas or Virginia, someplace where I
have a pretty large plot of land with lots of forests or woods
near by.

I don't think my wife is very keen on this idea, but I believe
if we are within 50 miles of a major airport and a decent
hospital, I can get her to see things my way. I have about ten
years in which to convince her...

I want to go outside at night and see the stars.
I can tell you that if it is a perfectly dark clear
night, if you are far away enough from light pollution, the
Milky Way is so bright that it almost looks like it is a cloudy
sky!

I don't dislike people, and I love the wonders of modern
technology (not to mention electricity, hot water and indoor
outhouses), but I would prefer to spend most of my time in a
quiet, rustic environment, spending time socializing with people
on my terms and at my convenience, and not having to drive on a
freeway so I can punch a time clock.

Peace be with you.