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They're paving my paradise

 Today is my day off, so I went for a walk. Which is what I do any day I have an hour free and it's not either 900 degrees out or blowing at tornado velocity or below zero.

I am fortunate to live in an area close to some open space. The space is roughly the shape of a big balloon, and its perimeter measures around 3 miles, which is a perfect distance for me. For the 27 years I've been walking this beautiful open space, I've appreciated myriad birds, coyotes, lizards, silly dogs, ever-changing foliage colors, all with the backdrop of the giant Sandias. 

These beautiful, simple pleasures of nature I've taken for granted. This morning I was reminded that taking anything for granted is a really bad idea.


At the bottom end of the balloon of desert, I saw this. And many large trucks. And a portapotty. They were leveling and creating a big space into which who knows what will go.

My heart clogged up with sadness. I had seen survey stakes over the last months, but hadn't really worried about them because...denial, denial is a great place to hang out.

So I backtracked, not being able to move forward through what used to be open space with a nice path grooved into it. And I started processing the fact that one of my simplest, most revered activities, going for a peaceful goddamned walk through the desert has been sullied by progress.

Now I need to adjust, and to figure out a new path that incorporates as much of the desert as possible but avoids the construction.

Progress is inevitable, but I really don't have to like it.

Have a great day, and a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Stevie


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