FIELD OF DREAMS
I have a field. Well, actually, I don’t have a field — not technically — but sort of I do.
See, when I was growing up, there was a field behind our house. I used to go to the field all the time and play. When I got older, I’d go to the field and think. You know how sometimes, you get to a location and you realize, this place is part of me? Well, this field — it’s part of me. Big time.
Recently, when I was back in Wisconsin, I visited the field. Here’s me in the field.
The field is really beautiful. It has a gorgeous variety of wild plants and flowers.
And there poplar trees for days. Which is my favorite kind of tree.
The problem is, the field is for sale. From what my dad hears, most of the interest in the location is from developers. Who want to raze it and put up a pre-fab subdivision.
I have to tell you, the thought makes me sick. It feels like sacred land is being raped — not to put too fine a point on it. I mean, this place is part of the fabric of who I am. And the idea of McMansions on it makes me want to cry.
I’d buy it but I don’t have enough money. Not yet, anyway. The price is $10k per acre and there are 22 acres. That’s $220k.
So I’m going to try something. I’m going to believe that somehow, some way, that land is going to not get McMansions put on it. There’s a gorgeous scene in the book Eat, Pray, Love where Elizabeth Gilbert speaks what she needs to the universe (in that case, it was that her husband would sign her divorce papers) and she starts listing off people who agree with her that it needs to get done. At first the list starts with friends and family. In the end, the list is pretty funny — I think the Dali Lama is on it. But guess what else? The papers get signed. Pronto.
So, I’m taking a page out of Elizabeth’s book. I want to sign a petition to the universe, to God, that this land isn’t going to get razed. That this little slice of paradise deserves to stay that way.
Will you agree with me that this land deserves more than a subdivision? Will you stand with me by leaving your name in the comments?
I know it’s kinda crazy. But this place is a little crazy — it’s a little magical, actually. And I think the universe is with me on this one.
20 Responses to “FIELD OF DREAMS”
July 12th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Sure, where do I sign?
“Attention, Universe: do not put houses in Lara’s field. It is very important to her. I have ravaged Universes for lesser offenses.”
July 12th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Bob, I love any comment that begins with “Attention, Universe.” Thanks!
July 12th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
I second what Bob said.
L
July 12th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Dear Rainbow of Gummy Bears and Episodes of My Little Pony in the Sky,
Please leave Lara’s field as it is and as it should be. Also, make all those who would buy the McMansions and encourage this kind of development buy floating houses over the oil slick in the Gulf. Thank you.
July 12th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
for all the things green that are tall
for all the things green that are small
for us, among
for all the things breathing out
what we breath in
for the things that walk like us
and the things that don’t
for the things we can imagine
and all the things we can’t
for love and understanding
for protection
forever
Amen.
July 12th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I can still sing the Gummy Bears cartoon song from back in the day. “… bouncing here and there and everywhere …” The idea of addressing them in this endeavor makes me smile. Thanks, Lauren!
July 12th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Littlefluffycat: That was beautiful. I got goosebumps. thank you!
July 12th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I’m with you! See my name below.
Helen Ellis
July 12th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
I feel the same way. I’d put my name anywhere for people to just leave land alone! We do not NEED anymore houses – lets fix what we already have and leave a place for nature to just be.
Diana Rose
July 13th, 2010 at 12:46 am
I’m with you! All the world is most likely with you, aside from greedy scummy tree demolishers and forget them anyway, the universe doesn’t work for them!
July 13th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I’m picturing the field staying just as it is. As it always will be. I had that same field behind my house growing up. (Well, not that exact same field, but it might as well have been) and I loved it.
July 13th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I will exercise my rights as a former Chicago-land native and not only sign my own name, but those of a few dearly departed as well.
So, Abraham Lincoln and Ella Fitzgerald have now also signed on your behalf.
July 13th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
While we Minnesotans don’t always agree with our cheesehead neighbors, on this point we heartily agree. So here’s my vote:
Dear Intergallatic Guru of All Things Good and Right (a.k.a., God, Allah, Buddha, etc.): Please save Lara’s little slice of heaven, of magic, of connection to this little lump of rock we call home. We need peace, joy and open spaces WAY more than another housing development.
July 13th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Thanks, everyone. These are so sweet. You guys rule.
July 13th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I hereby speak on behalf of myself, my husband, fourty-some cows, and about 70 little pigs that Lara’s field must be saved!
Just think how many fewer books of awesomeness would exist if there weren’t fields for wandering and imagining in authors’ childhoods.
July 14th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Sprawl Sucks. Please save Lara’s field.
July 15th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
God, thank you so much for preserving this open field, for giving nature the breathing room to grow and thrive so it can give back to all who enjoy it.
In return, we promise not to take it for granted. To say thank you to you and to it for the peace it provides us humans and for the sanctuary it gives to so many living things.
July 16th, 2010 at 1:11 am
We all have our ‘fields’ of love and contentment and perfect peace. Such great places to recall and no matter who comes to take the land they can never take our soul – the place where memories live forever and we can return to that special place any time in our hearts. Celebrate the memory over “coffee and a donut”!!!
July 30th, 2010 at 5:30 am
I just landed on your blog tonight, and as Anne of Green Gables would say, “We are kindred spirits.” My sister and brother and I used to play ‘bunnies’ in our field that didn’t actually belong to us – a game of pretend where we would build nests/burrows in the tall grass to safely hide from whatever imagined evil forces were out to get us (usually tractors and airplanes?). I don’t know for sure if that field is still there, but in my mind it will always be. It’s a place where I could be safe but also independent. Like climbing into the lap of Mother Nature, maybe. The kind of mother who silently watches the choices you make, letting them take shape and evolve without her interference or judgement. Am I giving my bunny field too much credit? Maybe, but we need those places of freedom as children and always. They give us so much!
I’m believing your field to keep being.
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I believe in your field Lara…