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As we all know by now, the Home
Clearing is a rather indefinite location snuggled in the bosom of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
National Forest. When one is there it feels like anywhere else. Solid.
Predictable. Up is up. Down is down. We’ve all seen forests. Ah, but, getting
there?
There’s the rub.
The most dependable way of getting to Ralph’s home is by being ushered there by himself in person. In that case the forest opens its arms, and allows passage, of course, for the lord of the forest is passing through.
When Ralph invites someone home, he will often meet them at that wide parking spot off of Highway 20. Then together Ralph and guest will march right in.
I think a reason for it is most pivotal.
I mean, if there is no good reason for a nosy person to find Ralph and Ramona and all, they won’t. They can’t. There is no point of contact.
Once or twice on some magical night, with moonlight, owls and such, a person or persons has wandered right in. But there was need of it. Something to be established. And if that person later tried to retrace his steps, it wouldn’t happen again. I know! So arbitrary!
I seem to remember that once Millicent, the reporter, drove to a certain area, was instructed to perform a set of illogical directives, to get close. Then she parked and walked in. In essence, she performed a physical spell of sorts. After the visit, to go out, she had to unwind the spell to get back to regular old Highway 20. Pretty neat.
Not even Millicent could just stroll in anytime.
Why the high security? More on that later.
Remember when Ralph materialized on stage with the professor, a putative type of Dr. Meldrum, the bigfoot expert who believes in the ape of northwest theory? That was another kind of invitation. Rather preemptory! The professor really got his eyes opened too. I suspect that it’s the same in all cases. Eyes opened, please.
We all need our eyes opened. Ralph is very good at opening eyes.
So, why all the high security?
Could I just walk in? No. Not even though I kind of discovered the Home Clearing.
Well, it’s almost like the contrast between holy, set apart, or profane. The Home Clearing is set apart for special purposes. The specialness, or possibly sanctity of the place is part of its definition. If it were not set apart for some reason, it would be forever changed and lose all of its virtue.
Ralph himself must be seen with an open heart. But a light heart too. This is no place for heaviness or manmade philosophy. It’s a child’s world in a way. Or a childlike world. Pure and kind.
The Home Clearing is a place to open one’s hand and let the common world fall away.
If any of this makes sense to you, then I am very happy.
There’s the rub.
The most dependable way of getting to Ralph’s home is by being ushered there by himself in person. In that case the forest opens its arms, and allows passage, of course, for the lord of the forest is passing through.
When Ralph invites someone home, he will often meet them at that wide parking spot off of Highway 20. Then together Ralph and guest will march right in.
I think a reason for it is most pivotal.
I mean, if there is no good reason for a nosy person to find Ralph and Ramona and all, they won’t. They can’t. There is no point of contact.
Once or twice on some magical night, with moonlight, owls and such, a person or persons has wandered right in. But there was need of it. Something to be established. And if that person later tried to retrace his steps, it wouldn’t happen again. I know! So arbitrary!
I seem to remember that once Millicent, the reporter, drove to a certain area, was instructed to perform a set of illogical directives, to get close. Then she parked and walked in. In essence, she performed a physical spell of sorts. After the visit, to go out, she had to unwind the spell to get back to regular old Highway 20. Pretty neat.
Not even Millicent could just stroll in anytime.
Why the high security? More on that later.
Remember when Ralph materialized on stage with the professor, a putative type of Dr. Meldrum, the bigfoot expert who believes in the ape of northwest theory? That was another kind of invitation. Rather preemptory! The professor really got his eyes opened too. I suspect that it’s the same in all cases. Eyes opened, please.
We all need our eyes opened. Ralph is very good at opening eyes.
So, why all the high security?
Could I just walk in? No. Not even though I kind of discovered the Home Clearing.
Well, it’s almost like the contrast between holy, set apart, or profane. The Home Clearing is set apart for special purposes. The specialness, or possibly sanctity of the place is part of its definition. If it were not set apart for some reason, it would be forever changed and lose all of its virtue.
Ralph himself must be seen with an open heart. But a light heart too. This is no place for heaviness or manmade philosophy. It’s a child’s world in a way. Or a childlike world. Pure and kind.
The Home Clearing is a place to open one’s hand and let the common world fall away.
If any of this makes sense to you, then I am very happy.
🤍
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