I dash through my bowl of Cinnamon Life or Cheerios or whatever in a smaller-than-average kitchen in a house that's definitely within what's considered an average value in a place that is definitely considered less than optimal. There was no reason for me to waste time enjoying the savory taste of the kids' breakfast cereal this morning - or any other morning, for today and many more to come; the great outdoors caught my attention. Now that I think about it, every day as a child I was attracted, dragged, tempted to leave the inside for the beautiful outside. Although I didn't know it then, the three acres of land where I spent the first apparently 17 years of my life fell into my parents' hands in a rather embarrassing way. Although I only heard the story once when I was young, I believed something like this had happened: First, by the extremely strange luck that there was a 400-acre plot of land with one of its corners cut off by a snowmobile trail and, secondly, because of the pure geographical instance that placed that cut corner at the crossroads of 3 counties (Emmet, Cheboygan and Charlevoix) and, thirdly, that through a strange communication of two potential land buyers ( my father is one of them) a deal came to sell 397 acres to the future neighbor and the 3 acres on the corner to my father. But whatever happened, my family was granted this beautiful parcel in the southeast corner of Emmet County, which fortunately happens to be right within the Petoskey School District (being an advantage I only realize Today). a parcel that my parents struggled to get electricity and phone lines for. For some reason, I think they had to pay for it, but I don't remember. The......middle of paper......des properties. Provides security. Provides experience. And most importantly, it provides life. My life as a child was shaped by the landscape in which I grew up. My knowledge of trees, plants, birds and insects developed so early in my life because the earth was like a nature teaching laboratory. I wasn't afraid of snakes, bees, or large mammals because we shared that land. I hope that one day my children will have the opportunity, along with curiosity and enthusiasm, to explore the earth for what it is: everything. Land is not just property bounded in a geographic location. The earth is more. It is that place to return to in memory and in dreams. It is a place activated by a smell or an emotion. Basically, it's life and all my great memories come back to three secluded acres in Northern Michigan that will always remain, no matter what, home..