September 15

With the onset of cooler weather, I suspect there is some ethos that forgives or even excuses a separation from the natural world. It is too easy to claim the convenience of indoor pursuits, and the ever-present intrusions of technology in favor of the empiricism afforded by the outside.

Observe the masses in town, coming out of the bank, or standing at the soccer field, walking along the sidewalk, or waiting for a child to arrive on the bus. Electronic device in hand they detach to a virtual place, seemingly oblivious to the physical world of which they are a passive part.

It is too easy to lament the poor state of humankind’s ambivalence to their natural surroundings. Put simply it is so very disheartening to witness such disconnect.

Paxton is no different than the next New England town in this way, or likely the majority of towns in these states. There is beauty so profound here and now, in the cycle of the seasons, and yet people have distanced themselves from being a part of it.

Notes:

Buckeye trees dropping nuts.