Integrity

I came across this old American barn when in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It is situated on a plot of land, right near a creek, across from a large field which appeared to be free from any sort of farming.


The middle-aged couple, who live in a large farm house about
three-hundred feet from this barn, have refused to change much about it, except bringing it up to code (They are writers and use it as a workspace away from the main house; an "escape close to home" they said). For the barn's outer appearance, they have kept it as is, since the day the building was erected. They've pretty much done the same with that farmhouse. All I could say in response at the time was "hm, interesting." Yeah, I should have said something better.

But it is interesting. They've chosen to protect and keep up a building which sits on top of what used to be a small forest. The creek behind it isn't even a natural creek, not anymore. There is a concrete dam turned waterfall and the water follows a strict outline of concrete walls.

The couple I met said the building has strong integrity. What about the integrity of the land it was built on? It's an interesting word to use, integrity. It can mean either a strong building foundation, and strong internal structure, or strong morals. The integrity of the land & the building vs. our own integrity.

This photo is of me reaching for a green caterpillar, at the University of Minnesota Arboretum in Chaska, MN. It's a beautiful place. Literally with rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

The arboretum's focus is on preservation, all of the plants, trees, shrubs etc. there are natural to Minnesota. However, it's obvious that much of the compound is manufactured. Everything is labeled. Many of the trees were brought in from somewhere else and to touch some of the plants is prohibited. The staff strongly recommend against traipsing off into the woods there, as you might destroy the integrity of the natural flora there.

I love going to the arboretum, and the rules are in place for good reason.

It's just...

It's funny that I went to somewhere manufactured to see the natural beauty of my home state.