6/10/2010

It's Not Just the View, It's the Vision


The irony of the title is that I wrote it as a headline for a full page print ad selling high rise condos in the 90's. It was for a real estate development company that had so much vision - mainly of sugar plums - that  it lost sight of the bottom line and went belly up. At the time, I wrote a lot of poetic dribble about "lofty" views and didn't mention the sky high prices except in passing, as an afterthought..a little half million dollar blip.




Last week I spent some time in the country, on a "real food" course. There wasn't a high rise condo in sight!
It took two hours to walk less than 1/2 km (1/4 mile) as we let our inner children out to play.
There was barely anything in the meadow that couldn't sustain you, and we stopped to look, touch, smell and taste it all.The man teaching the class calls himself a polyculturalist.
For him,  "leave only footprints" is a lifestyle, not a park slogan.
He has learned to live with the plants and animals on this earth...encouraging some, ignoring others...but being of the environment. Of is the operative word here. He does not seek to thwart, threaten, or have dominion over any of it. He is aware and therefore, part of it.
In turn, it supports and provides and sustains him and his family.
He is happier, and clearer eyed that any man I've met in a long while. He does NOT remind me of the real estate moguls who one by one, bit the proverbial dust, and are no longer part of anything.

The world is weary of all the bad news...at least I certainly am...and the environmental disaster that has yet to be contained in the Gulf of Mexico. The devastation is not yet fully realized, but it will be reminding us of man's inability to control nature for decades to come... daily nudges that fossil fuels and greed is a marriage made in hell. And the alimony payments will be horrendous.

Thankfully, hope springs eternal!
These are not ancient Olympic rings - although they could well be. They are fish nests in the wetlands leading into Long Point conservation area beside Lake Erie. They're the  first to be observed here in several years. Here because a group of people had a vision that linked back to nature instead of bulldozing it over.
No condos, no parking lots. Just paradise with a great view.


for other views visit: http://skyley.blogspot.com

11 comments:

VioletSky said...

Much to think about with this post.
As much as I love city life, there should be only so much development before someone recognizes the folly.

Pearl Maple said...

Fabulous photos of nature and wildlife at play, thank you for sharing your views with Sky Watch Friday.

Lori Skoog said...

BP and nature have clashed. The whole thing is very depressing...actually horrifying. The idiots out there who can't figure out the value of the wind and sun are making us pay a huge price. What a blow to our environment.

Beautiful shots. I especially love the first one.

Felicia said...

Your "real foods" course sounds fascinating. I've never seen fish nests before; very interesting shot!

robin andrea said...

It's a very interesting thing, once you've stopped participating in the world as it has been envisioned by titans of industry, and start living as if you were merely one more entity like all the other wild ones here. I don't watch the news anymore, I learn more about the direction of our times watching the commercials.

Beautiful photos.

faye said...

Great shots.
Nature at its best.

EG CameraGirl said...

Hmmmm. I'm afraid too many businessmen have visions of megabucks and really don't care about the environment. If only more of them spent quality time with Mother Nature!

Carolyn said...

What a thought provoking post Susan and your photos are beautiful. I find when you live in "wild" or "natural" places you are humbled and made aware daily how little man can control. We are all connected and if we would learn to respect that life would be so much better.
Smiles
P.S.
While in Prince Edward County I was also stunned at how much stuff came up on the beaches there.

Carolyn said...

P.P.S. I love a good rant Susan!!!
There are now 5 gyres in our great oceans.
Interesting photos here:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stiv-j-wilson/atlantic-garbage-patch-ne_b_539468.html?slidenumber=bKBxg3d5uf0%3D&show_slideshow_ads=1&slideshow

DUTA said...

The Gulf of Mexico disaster may have one very tiny positive outcome - the humility of Man. Humans should feel humble when facing Nature as they are limited in understanding its mechanism.
They were unable to foresee the oil spill and ure unable to stop it.
Living in harmony with Nature may prevent further ecological disasters.
Your pictures are awsome!

Johnny Nutcase said...

great post, great photos. Happy to see the fish nests! I can't read the news anymore without dying inside...your play time in the meadow sounds like something i'd love!