My childhood home is still "home", as I still have many friends in the area and zoning laws as well as environmental preserves have kept development from completely overwhelming the place. Still a lot more McMansions than we had growing up, but the basic complexion is recognizable.
I've lived in other places, but the Northeast is my preferred world. Dunno if it's the weather or the landscape or the culture or what. Lived on the Pacific coast for a bit - which was beautiful. But it wasn't *my* ocean. I can't explain it.
On the other hand, I know more than a few George "I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet" Baileys who never looked back and for whom home is where they chose to make it.
So, I dunno. I think "home" is an idea - a place of comfort and familiarity - much more than a point on a map. But I can see how people might be attached to a specific patch of ground, especially if it's been in the same hands for generations. I've always wondered how the perceptions on that differ in, say, Western Europe.
I vaguely recall a conversation a while back about relocating Israel to a carve-out in Baja California. Would it still be "Israel"? Ship of Theseus and all that. I'm pretty sure substances were involved and are at least partially responsible for my lack of recollection.
Since we're on the subject of homes, I'm glad ObWi has found a new one!
My childhood home is still "home", as I still have many friends in the area and zoning laws as well as environmental preserves have kept development from completely overwhelming the place. Still a lot more McMansions than we had growing up, but the basic complexion is recognizable.
I've lived in other places, but the Northeast is my preferred world. Dunno if it's the weather or the landscape or the culture or what. Lived on the Pacific coast for a bit - which was beautiful. But it wasn't *my* ocean. I can't explain it.
On the other hand, I know more than a few George "I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet" Baileys who never looked back and for whom home is where they chose to make it.
So, I dunno. I think "home" is an idea - a place of comfort and familiarity - much more than a point on a map. But I can see how people might be attached to a specific patch of ground, especially if it's been in the same hands for generations. I've always wondered how the perceptions on that differ in, say, Western Europe.
I vaguely recall a conversation a while back about relocating Israel to a carve-out in Baja California. Would it still be "Israel"? Ship of Theseus and all that. I'm pretty sure substances were involved and are at least partially responsible for my lack of recollection.
Since we're on the subject of homes, I'm glad ObWi has found a new one!