Maryanne and I spent most of Memorial Day weekend in Door County. At times I was reminded of how out of place I sometimes feel around here, living in an urban setting on the southern Wisconsin prairie. I miss the orchards and fields mixed with swamps, bluffs, and rolling hills, all within reach of the lake, instead of the constant prairie, marsh, and occasional hill dotted here and there with lakes sometimes small enough to call a pond. The seasons even seem to have a greater distinction in Door County than here. The apple trees and lilacs were blooming in Door County, and the cherry trees had just finished, while around here that seemed to happen all at once a few weeks ago. I miss the open spaces, the wildlife, and the way of life.
It saddens me, and sometimes pains me, when Maryanne shows such an aversion to living there, even once we're retired. It disappoints me that she doesn't show much appreciation for the way things are there: for the nature, the landscapes, and the culture and lifestyle that I grew up with.
I'll admit that there are times I'm not much better; clearly the prairie doesn't do much for me, and I have little enthusiasm for the landscapes of southern Wisconsin. However, southern Wisconsin does hold its own treasures. Edgerton reminds me of everything a Wisconsin small town should be. For all I say about tree-hugging hippies, Madison really is a nice city with a rich history. Stoughton embraces its past in the celebration of Syttende Mai. Yet something still seems to be lacking in it all, something that Door County has. In the end, I think it's that I still think of Door County as home.
No comments:
Post a Comment