“Father Time” may be the classic image, but I prefer to think of Time as a woman. Time has always been a demanding mistress. Like every “other woman” in story, she demands attention. She is always in the background, threatening to blow things up if our relationship is not on her terms. She’s always watching. Unrelenting. But recently, I found a new relationship with Time. One that I own.
Superb essay. Also enjoyed the hand drawing. I imagine 1500 years ago time was marked by the sun, people aligned their activity with the cosmos. Now we have regimented schedules that are probably harmful for the kids. I hope I also find this syncing with time by camping and getting outdoors!
What a delight this was Latham! On the onset I am drawn to nature for the beauty, the clean air, and the adventure that awaits my arrival but I think the biggest unseen draw is the way that time reorients itself - it is no longer minute hands on the hour, it is the change in color and gradient of the sky above me. My loved ones hate when I go backpacking alone but I live for losing myself on trails where the days feel long and uninterrupted by time dependencies. Being in my tent before dusk falls and out when the sun peeks through the clouds are the only time constraints I mind. It feels like one of the richest privileges I know.
Thank you Haley. I also have a deep love for nature for all those reasons you mentioned. And it's changed. I used to love nature more for the adventure, and the chance to test my spirit. Then it became a chance to just be alone without the thoughts in my head. A meditation if you will. Now it's a chance to bring all of that and all of myself to my family.
What are some of your favorite solo backpacking trips? I'd love to add a few more to my list.
There are many good sections on the AT, you can thru hike. Some of my favorite shorter trips are the Art Loeb (30 ish miles) and the Foothills trail (70 ish miles). I’ve only been backpacking out west in Yosemite once and have another good trail recommendation there. If you’re interested in specifics let me know
There is always so much heart in your writing. My whole body relaxed the moment I saw the tent and you started talking about leaving the schedules behind. Though it strikes me that as long as our kids have a reference point for that space they'll be okay. We don't have to live perpetually off the clock for them to be whole. Just a free-fall of timelessness now and then. Good job dad.
I’ve been planning to catch up on the writing of my thought-provoking, heart-endearing writers that I’ve missed as the time-demanding intensity of our writing course peaked. I thought I didn’t have enough time, but, as your piece reminds me - and all of us - it’s our relationship to time that can change and evolve, so that we can change our stories about not having enough time.
I’m off to hike Day 12 of the Pennine Way tomorrow. Time I know will slow down, speed up, take a meander of its own. I’ll be thinking about your words - “Uninterrupted time with Time” - tomorrow.
Superb essay. Also enjoyed the hand drawing. I imagine 1500 years ago time was marked by the sun, people aligned their activity with the cosmos. Now we have regimented schedules that are probably harmful for the kids. I hope I also find this syncing with time by camping and getting outdoors!
What a delight this was Latham! On the onset I am drawn to nature for the beauty, the clean air, and the adventure that awaits my arrival but I think the biggest unseen draw is the way that time reorients itself - it is no longer minute hands on the hour, it is the change in color and gradient of the sky above me. My loved ones hate when I go backpacking alone but I live for losing myself on trails where the days feel long and uninterrupted by time dependencies. Being in my tent before dusk falls and out when the sun peeks through the clouds are the only time constraints I mind. It feels like one of the richest privileges I know.
Time is indeed a sneaky mistress
Thank you Haley. I also have a deep love for nature for all those reasons you mentioned. And it's changed. I used to love nature more for the adventure, and the chance to test my spirit. Then it became a chance to just be alone without the thoughts in my head. A meditation if you will. Now it's a chance to bring all of that and all of myself to my family.
What are some of your favorite solo backpacking trips? I'd love to add a few more to my list.
There are many good sections on the AT, you can thru hike. Some of my favorite shorter trips are the Art Loeb (30 ish miles) and the Foothills trail (70 ish miles). I’ve only been backpacking out west in Yosemite once and have another good trail recommendation there. If you’re interested in specifics let me know
We are all going to have to find a new relationship with time. Your son is just ahead of the curve.
Your camp"sight" is idyllic
It was great. Come visit!
Beautiful writing Latham, as always.
Thank you Rosie. Thanks as always for your support
Such a beautiful and well done personification of Time!
A small but powerful line for me: "Uninterrupted time with Time."
Thank you Michelle. It was an amazing trip to notice what time does to me
There is always so much heart in your writing. My whole body relaxed the moment I saw the tent and you started talking about leaving the schedules behind. Though it strikes me that as long as our kids have a reference point for that space they'll be okay. We don't have to live perpetually off the clock for them to be whole. Just a free-fall of timelessness now and then. Good job dad.
Thank you Rick. I'd love to tell you that I planned for this to be an amazing break. But some times you just get lucky
I’ve been planning to catch up on the writing of my thought-provoking, heart-endearing writers that I’ve missed as the time-demanding intensity of our writing course peaked. I thought I didn’t have enough time, but, as your piece reminds me - and all of us - it’s our relationship to time that can change and evolve, so that we can change our stories about not having enough time.
I’m off to hike Day 12 of the Pennine Way tomorrow. Time I know will slow down, speed up, take a meander of its own. I’ll be thinking about your words - “Uninterrupted time with Time” - tomorrow.
I hope the hike was beautiful and refreshing Eric.
This was beautifully written Latham. Especially how you captured the simple serenity and enchantedness of camping and the outdoors.
“Time didn’t come with us”.
It’s funny how alien the day feels disassociated with time yet also profoundly calm.
Great work :)