this is why people had country homes and city homes, i think. and most of the times, country home didn't connote some sprawling palatial estate, but a brick-a-brack, cobbled together little hovel. the humility and spareness of the hovel reduces one to all those positive, internal, quiet qualities you just described.

kind of like a grown up treehouse. maybe that's what we need for health.

this past week i was thinking about going away and not seeing anyone for a while, monkish or nunish, and just shutting the fuck up, in all senses. your post is a much more calm reflection of that impulse.

i hope you're able to find-make-steal some of this kind of space and place for yourself soon.