Tales of Old Hyway 64 – Ditch Therapy

Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2016 16:04:26 -0500
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: Old Hyway 64- Ditch therapy . . .

Tales of Old Hyway 64 – Ditch Therapy –

For forty five years I have lived on a section of old hyway 64. Built in 1921 and abandoned in 1942. It is crude asphalt 20 feet wide. Evident still are the culverts and the side ditches. It changes with the  seasons and shows the ravages of time.   Over the years this hyway has become part of my life. There is not a day but what I walk on it,  look at it or use it in some way.

For the most part, the ditches are rather shallow and almost disappear  in some places. One place in particular has just the right shape for cuddling the body- support for the head, back, rump and legs. There  are usually enough dry leaves and pine needles to cushion my weary frame.

For a few days now, I have felt rather poorly and after getting no  satisfaction from the doctors, I yesterday, resorted to Ditch therapy. No papers to fill out, no cash under the table, no insurance denials, no  forty five minute wait for the appointment that shudda started ten minutes ago. I just walked there, the ditch couch was waiting. The  earth’s gravitational pull was already plugged in and all systems were “go”.  Sure, an occasional pine cone or sweet-gum burr needed to be  removed, but sometimes just a twist of the back rearranged the padding and one could gaze up and see the heavens.

The blue clouds raced by behind the intricate lace patterns tall trees  displayed against the heavens. One mammoth pine tree swayed back and fourth, keeping time to the chirping of a little  bird. A few gnats thought it was May and swarmed sluggishly while they waited their turn with nature’s intentions.

I could feel the pull of the earth . . . .

N.A. Booko