Staying Put and Sense of Place

Mural Half Block From Our Apartment

Caring for Prospect Gardens evokes reflections on "staying put" and sense of place. In chapter 4 of his 2009 book Making the Good Life Last, Michael Schuler, now the retired senior minister of First Unitarian Society presents four keys to sustainable living and the good life. One key is "staying put."

 Michael builds a case for resisting strong cultural messages about the benefits of change, the desire for novelty, emphasis on career, and our urges to "explore new terrain."  Michael writes about the advantages of stable neighborhoods with strong human connections, long lasting businesses, and having deep roots in one place; in short staying put. Michael gives several examples of staying put: districts such as the Boston's North End and Manhattan's Greenwich Village, Shorewood Hills and my neighborhood, Dudgeon-Monroe, and nearby Mickey's Dairy Bar. Mickey's sure does make those good old fashioned malts and on many days there is a waiting line down the block. 

Related to staying put is the construct of sense of place. The construct, often cited in research about cities, has several different dimensions depending on the research focus. Here I adapt the definition cited in an article by Adams, Greenwood, and Thomashow.  Sense of place refers to how we perceive and describe our relationship with "with places, expressed in different dimensions of human life: emotions, biographies, imagination, stories, and personal experiences."  Follow this link to the article

Wendell Berry's life, poetry and writings are prime examples of staying put and sense of place. In 2011 Berry created a non-profit center with his daughter Mary as Executive Director. The Center is dedicated to "changing our ruinous industrial agricultural system into a system and culture that uses nature as the standard, accepts no permanent damage to the ecosphere, and takes into consideration human health in local communities." Follow this link to learn more about the Berry Center

Here's just one example of Wendell Berry poems grounded in staying put and sense of place.

STAY HOME 

I will wait here in the fields
to see how well the rain
brings on the grass.
In the labor of the fields
longer than a man's life
I am at home. Don't come with me.
You stay home too.

I will be standing in the woods
where the old trees
move only with the wind
and then with gravity.
In the stillness of the trees
I am at home.
Don't come with me.
You stay home too.

According to the latest census data, the average American moves eleven times during a lifetime. So far I made nine moves. Besides Wisconsin (Pulaski, Madison, West Bend and Milwaukee) I have lived in Oregon, Indiana and Massachusetts, indicating that I was not exacting "staying put." However, in 1996, Ann and I intentionally decided to remain in Madison. Following Barry's advice we would stay home. Here's the short story of our commitment to Madison.

In 1996, and living in Madison since 1986, I  was on the job market and at a juncture in my educational career. I was offered an executive directorship of an educational reform center in Lorain, Ohio. I spent several days with the Center's staff before accepting the offer while damping down my inner feelings that the geographical place just didn't feel right. Yet I felt the need to accept the job and move the family to Ohio. Our Keyes Avenue home was up for sale by owner. Ann, eleven year old Emily and I made a house hunting trip and a visit to the school Emily could attend in Ohio. We looked at one home in a subdivision with immaculate lawns; not a weed in sight. I dislike well-manicured, highly fertilized lawns. Fortunately, we made no offer on this house.  

A young man from the Center gave me a ride to the Cleveland airport for a flight to Madison. On the way, he asked me where we intended to live. I said Avon Lake, an upscale suburban community about 10 miles from the Center. He paused and said something like "oh." I followed up asking what he meant by "oh"; in retrospect a life changing question. He answered that Avon Lake was featured in a series of articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer as one of the most chemically polluted areas in Ohio, and that's saying a lot for industrial Ohio. The young man advised me to get several soil tests before buying, including one for residue of chemicals used to grow grapes. Many subdivisions, he said, are on former vineyards in which pesticides were heavily used. On my return to Madison, I went to the Historical Society, read the articles, and following my strong visceral reactions decided against moving.  

Ann and I took down the for sale sign while Emily and her good friend cheered. Career became a lower priority. A year later I accepted a UW temporary academic staff position in the then UW Center on Education and Work. The position became permanent as an educational researcher. The rest is history. We stayed put until 2016 when we sold the1926 home that we had lived in for 30 years. We intentionally decided to remain in the Dudgeon- Monroe Neighborhood for several reasons including wanting to remain crew chief of Prospect Gardens.

 Here are three pictures of special places near our apartment and which I enjoy as I stay put.   

Wingra Park, Lake Wingra, and the southern sections of the UW Arboretum are across the street from our Monroe Street apartment. Tranquil, snapshot of nature, family-friendly, and peaceful are words that describe my sense of these places.

During the summer months a small group and I do Qigong on the shores of Lake Wingra. Often I will sit quietly on one of the park benches, just doing nothing or enjoying a dish of ice cream from The Chocolate Shoppe, adjacent to Wingra Park .  

On the lake individuals of all ages are kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, or slowly making their way on one of the two large duck paddle boats. Warblers pause along the Arboretum's paths during their spring migration. Sandhill Cranes stay for the season. Swallows nest and raise their young in the eves of a shelter. Hurons visit and this spring pelicans arrived for a brief stay. 

A short hike west along an Arboretum trail is the Kenneth Jensen Wheeler Memorial council ring, another peaceful place. I often sit quietly within the ring listening to the sounds of birds and on a breezy day feel the wind on my face.

Kenneth Jensen Wheeler was a graduate student who died from a brain aneurism in 1934 on the eve of his graduation. Kenneth’s grandfather, Jens Jensen, a famous landscape architect, designed the limestone ring. Kenneth's father built most of the ring during 1938.

Just below the steps to the Council Ring, is Council Springs, one of the few remaining springs along Lake Wingra. Once there was 38 springs feeding Lake Wingra. These springs were water sources for Indigenous people living nearby and for early white settlers. Apple trees a short distance from the Springs suggests that a farm house once was nearby.

A boardwalk leads to the eastern edge of  the Spring, just before several stepping stones across the rushing water and onto more boardwalk through the Arboretum. On one of those last July hot days, I sat at the edge of boardwalk, listening to the rushing water. After several minutes a Gold Finch landed in the water for a cooling bath. I watched in awe.   

 

Here's the old passage way under the railroad bed that is now the Southwest Path. Note the metal peace sign that somebody added to the wooden railings. According to Wikipedia the peace sign was designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom as the logo for the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, a group at the forefront of the peace movement in the UK. As many members of my generation know the peace sign was adopted by anti-Vietnam protesters. The peace sign continues to be relevant today as a symbol against violence, hatred and oppression.   

The Path is part of a major thoroughfare for bike commuters and a place with multiple users. On any day you will see walkers like me, joggers of all ages, dads, mothers or grandparents pushing baby strollers, skateboarders, roller bladers, regular, recumbent and electric bikes, electric one wheelers, and young children riding their bikes with parents saying "stay to the right."  

During my walks on the Path, I try quieting and calming the mind while being aware of the natural environment and the passersby, may they be on a bike or on foot. Passersby and I often exchange quiet "hellos" or a wave. I may meet neighbors walking or on a bike. We exchange greetings or step to the side for a chat. 

Prospect Gardens is another place dear to my heart. My relationship (sense of place) with the Gardens includes practicing stewardship, experiencing generosity, feeling connected with others, joy, and discovery, i.e., learning about native plants, storm water management, and about myself. 

On August 26th, volunteers once again cared for this special place. Joining Ann and me, were Becky (first step), Sandy P. to my right, and Joyce to my left. Rajeev and Laura are on the back steps.  Thank you for your good work and for the fun we had. 

  

Here's Becky pausing from tackling weeds. She and Sandy P. are graduates of the Wisconsin Naturalist Program. 

Rajeev, with his pleasant smile, is the President of the West High Leo Club. Club members, during the school year, regularly volunteer.  

Rajeev quickly mastered weeding. Incidentally he is also a baker. The day before he made a key lime pie. 

Rajeev gave me a few tips (for example, repeating key words) to increase readership of this blog after asking what was my primary purpose. I never really thought about that question until he asked. I quickly responded, I suppose recruiting and supporting volunteers and advertising the Gardens. Now that I think further of the purpose, I would add providing opportunities for reflection and keeping in touch with friends and acquaintances. A large audience is not a goal.

Gregory, who has volunteered several times this season, sent his regards from Egypt and this picture. I don't see any weeds. Both the camel and Gregory look content. 

As autumn approaches, blooms are peaking and turning into seeds.  Here's one of the remaining Purple Poppy Mellow blooms. Poppy Mellow covers a substantial area to the left as you climb to the top of the Regent stairs. On their own they have spread to other nearby areas. May the spread continue.

One garden that I visit regularly is the UW Botany Garden on University Avenue, across from Luther Memorial Church. The Gardens have mostly perennials and annuals along with a pond with water lilies. This picture is from a visit, and along with the following poem, a good ending to my reflections.

How to Live Like a Water Lily

Wake up slowly, float in a dreamy world,
silky arms folded over your face until mid-morning,
then open wide, sun-warmed awake.
Breathe from more than one place, soft and supple.
Do not worry about today or tomorrow
or care what others think of you.
Your radiant center is tough, strong,
nourished by water and light.
Wind and wave may engulf you
but you can easily separate from submersion,
opening your face to the heavens.
Push back beads of wet darkness.
Move freely. Make white water circles until afternoon,
when you fold softly back into yourself,
drowsing in the dimming daylight.

—Annette L. Grunseth

May we all live like water lilies as our lives unfold.