When there are no mountains to look at...

Happy September 1st!

In the Midwest, there are no mountains, but mostly flat plains and rolling hills, which often casts a negative perspective on one's psyche. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly twelve years I grew accustomed to seeing mountains in the distance, along with large bodies of sea water (Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Straits of Juan De Fuca, etc.). Now, having lived in Saint Louis, MO. for a year and a half, I find it difficult to adjust to a lack of those natural features. There are, however, other admirable features to observe in this region, though not natural, but man-made. They are...historical objects...homes, store fronts, and cobblestone streets.

Recently, I was beginning to experience a bit of scenery-depression from being landlocked with no mountains or ocean to gaze upon. The day-to-day, week-to-week living, of looking afar and seeing only fields, tree tops, and blue skies began to wear on me. Last night, however, on a family date to get desert at a quaint 'chocolate bar' in the Lafayette Square district, I made an observation and gained a fresh perspective regarding the man-made features I can gaze upon gratuitously, while living in our current Midwest residence. It is in those historical objects, with their intricate, architectural designs that proud men built over a hundred years ago, that I can now find appreciation, even if only temporary, since there's no telling how long or short our stay will be.

It was a true delight, eating dessert in that old brick building which had existed for over 130 years. Not having visited Lafayette Square until now, and upon finishing our ice cream, we set out to walk through the neighborhood, observing beautifully restored buildings and Victorian houses, imagining what it was like to have lived there in the 19th century, when it was all new.

Making do with what you have is not always easy, but I have learned in past experiences that the human mind can adapt to the most amazing circumstances, whether wonderful or terrible. It all comes down to attitude. After our little family dessert-date, we agreed to make it a point, to consistently get out and enjoy what's around us, and not allow our daily Midwestern living to become mundane.