Posted on April 2, 2020 at 11:37 AM by Jason Macoviak
In the early 1990s I was able to fulfill my dream of moving "back to the land." Though I'd never planned on doing it alone, that's how it happened. I bought 20 acres in the foothills of the Okanogan Highlands located in Washington state near the Canadian border, and pulled my recently purchased Silver Streak trailer to the location. I felt battered by life and decided I would become a recluse, venturing out only as needed. While I felt a deep connection to my surrounding environment, and enjoyed the company of my best-dog-ever, I kept finding excuses to drive into town. Soon I was making a conscious effort to wait a little longer between trips thinking I could grow into recluseship. I was still making that effort when I started reading Joseph Campbell. Honestly, I was surprised to find how much I had bought into the myth of the loner, and realized humans are herd animals, not unlike horses. What's interesting to me is that this sheltering in place thing has so far been pretty easy. I am loving the break from the busy busy. I do have neighbors here in Warren, unlike my homestead in the Okanogan Highlands, and I enjoy our somewhat brief across-the-fence conversations. For entertainment I can watch people walking their dogs down my street from my living room desk, so I'm not really alone. When I need snuggles, I have my cat, and most of my needs are generously met. I just wish I had a few extra rolls of toilet paper.