Root of Place

I have lived in many places as I near 80. I was born in southern California, lived in three towns (not counting the Pasadena hospital in which I was born), moved to two places in Massachusetts (one very temporary, maybe a month, the other 6 years), then on to New York in one home, then to Illinois for college. After 4 years of education at one campus, I moved on to my adult homes in Illinois which now number 7 communities. I spent 51 years in three homes, so stability has marked my life in many ways, especially in residences. Whether there is another home or two remaining in my future, only time will tell.

Watching TV programs, movies, documentaries, in addition to reading novels focused on places, I am reminded continually of my times in many homes. The sense of place is big in my life. While young, our family traveled extensively throughout the western United States. We camped and hiked in many places in California, Oregon, while meandering throughout many western states staying in motels and hotels. We explored those states. We tasted them, breathed in their air and landscapes, and felt their weather, altitudes and sense of history.

As an adult, our family traveled to many places domestically, almost always by car. We loved road trips. I think that love was for the feel and connection with places that flying misses. The trip is the thing, not the destination.

I grew up with a strong sense of place. Living in many different communities, gave me a point of comparison. To this day I can intuit filming locations of TV programs. They may purport to be in Virginia or Georgia, but actually they are in different southern California sites. I see it in the air compositions of hazes and diffusion of light. I see it in the flora of natural settings. I see it in tiny bits of architecture of homes, period designs and interior decors. I just know when I’m viewing a California setting when the storyline is supposed to be Virginia or some other place.

When I see upstate New York, I sense rural England. When I recall New England, I am reminded of our travels in England.

Sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee or an al fresco meal, I process the place in many ways, with many senses. Place has many components. Where the body is, is only one component. Where the personality is another. How the person interacts with place is yet another component. The air, light, temperature, humidity, aromas of tree and plant life are other bits and pieces. The ensemble makes for a unique place. Is that the root? Or something entirely different?

Just asking.

September 1, 2022

   

 

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