Page 20 - Demo

In time, I began reading and studying other significant, spiritually insightful works, such as the I Ching, the Kabbalah, as well as books and audio tapes by a range of thoughtful psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, as well as modern-day philosophers and thinkers%u2014like Joseph Campbell. I learned how often symbolism was an important key to unlocking new insights, and guiding us to live more fully in the present moment%u2014free of deceptive inner and outer influences. This was especially evident when I began studying the symbolism of the Tarot, whose cards are filled with beautifully executed drawings, designed to reveal where you are on your path, and how to move forward. I was so fascinated by all manner of symbols, that I became very adept at understanding their meanings in many different contexts.Once our house was complete, we were both ready to learn new things, and ready for a new location. Several years earlier, on our honeymoon, we%u2019d stayed at the old resort hotel in French Lick, and we%u2019d always remembered the beauty of southern Indiana. Now we decided that southern Indiana was the place for us. While it took a couple of years, we were able to move onto a few acres of isolated, forest land on a hillside just outside of Bloomington. Bloomington itself had an attractive, busy downtown with a courthouse square. Much of the surrounding area, unlike the flat cropland of northern Indiana, undulated with state and national forests. Another attraction was Indiana University%u2014a huge, renowned liberal-arts college with a massive library and several museums. Later, we found Lake Monroe and Lake Lemon, which were nearby, as well Indiana%u2019s largest state park, and a former artist colony which was now a popular tourist spot%u2014both in neighboring Nashville.But, honestly, it was the appeal of living in a secluded spot that was most important to us. For my health, I needed to be away from society, and all the chemicals and pollution that went along with it%u2014at least for a time. Since we both loved being in the woods as kids, this was no real sacrifice on our part. In fact, we realized that our new location and lifestyle could be a positive, healing retreat%u2014a place of liberation%u2014one we knew we wanted to embrace. Even if I hadn%u2019t been ill, this was where we belonged. My poor heath simply made us come to the realization sooner. After we bought our land, we purchased an old salmon-colored house trailer from a soon-to-be-closed mobile home park owned by Indiana University. Once we had it moved, and hooked up to electricity and our new water meter and septic system, John started building a brand-new house%u2014one without noxious building materials, and one I%u2019d be able to tolerate.While building our home, John remained a part-time draftsman/designer for the engineering firm he%u2019d been working for in Lafayette, after he left the remodeling job. Every so often, he would drive up there to get new assignments, and deliver completed ones. For a workspace, he had his drafting table set up in our trailer%u2019s tiny 2nd bedroom. As he started working on the house, John began researching what it would take to actually build a healthier house. He scoured libraries, manufacturer%u2019s literature, and attended a conference and a workshop. Because specific information was Old Main Street. Ink on paper. 1976Three Victorian Houses. Ink and pastel on paper. 1976Feisty Bird. Ink on paper. 1976