Space

Individuals, like nations, must have suitable broad and natural boundaries, even a considerable neutral ground, between them. I have found it a singular luxury to talk across the pond to a companion on the opposite side. In my house we were so near that we could not begin to hear—we could not speak low enough to be heard... -- Thoreau, Walden

We were having some trouble hearing each other so we spent the MLK holiday visiting places where there's a little more room and much more stillness. We both think it helped. I'll tell you this: my woman, she's a good woman.

Speaking of stillness, we stopped by the not-so-bustling town of Bagdad, California. Around 1900, it was "a bustling small railroad town complete with a company commissary, depot with telegraph office, dining hall, hotels, library, post office, restaurant (Harvey House), saloons, school and stores."

By the 40s, all that remained were "a few homes, guest cabins, gas station and Alice Lawrence's very popular Bagdad Café...[which] was the only spot in the region to have a jukebox and dance floor, and was a popular stopping place." (quotes from Ghost Town USA)

We were there yesterday. All we found was one windblown tree and some bits and pieces of metal and melted glass.