Rural homes are identified as being someone's place. No, it's not like that somebody's crib thing. The "place" term refers to whoever lives there. I'm not explaining this well. An example will help. Here is a fictional situation, but one that has probably happened to a newcomer out there.
I call for a propane delivery. Where do you live is the next obvious question. Well, first you give the address. Nope, not good enough. Try the north/south/east/west directions - you know, take this road, turn west and go for 6 miles, turn south for 3 miles and then back west again for 4 miles. I have a little trouble with the north/south/east/west directions so I tried saying the name of the person who had lived here before us. Immediate recognition - oh, you live on the Smith place! Sure, we'll be there in 20 minutes.
At what point does it become our "place"? It's OK though that the former owner's name is still attached to our farm. At least she is still alive. My parents' house is referred to by the owners, who have been deceased for at least 10 years!
1 comment:
I think you have to be either 70 years old or dead, whichever comes first. You're a long way from either one.
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