David Douglas

December 14th, 2015, Highway 48 between Bolsover and Kirkfield east of Coboconk: my vehicle broke down, in a place typically described as “in the middle of nowhere”. It’s overcast, damp, cold, with a breeze. Fun? No! Easily solvable? Yes! You literally put one foot in front the other. Put your hood up on your jacket and the car, engage the flashers and leave a note; “Walking this way, for land line (add an arrow)”.
As an artist I stopped to grab some paintable fodder. I found an amazing barn with Highland cattle, and some home spun opportunistic advertising. Ten years later Voila! “Nowhere is Somewhere”.
So how does one live in a place defined as the middle of nowhere, culturally? Reality is whether you’re urban, or rural - you make do! Each differently. It’s about the tapestry of people. Held together culturally by what’s valued, what’s needed and what they choose (and how they live with having limited choices).
Urban accessibility vs. rural’s lack of accessibility, yielding fewer choices and no cell phone service; or public transportation; or emergency service’s - is a stark, humbling reality.
Is it about have’s and have nots? Yes.
It’s common to take things for granted, and not know. It’s humanly a given. What we don’t understand; or don’t know; or value; or choose not to value - is superseded by our need to get on with our lives.
For me I choose “nowhere, that’s somewhere,” and put “one foot in front of the other.”
David Douglas