WEATHER »

Moving to a Yurt

Togetherness

Sunday, October 9, 2011
By Laura Stinchfield

My animal family and I have two been offered two wonderful places to live on the land, and they are both in Santa Barbara. (So stop spreading those rumors that I have already left!) I have decided to purchase a yurt, but I am not quite sure how my animal family feels about it. In the middle of the night last night, my cat Makia pawed at my head, woke me up, and said, “If we live in a yurt, what are the windows like? Will I be able to see out? I don’t think they are glass.”

I replied, “I don’t know if you can see out well. Maybe we can get a glass window.” She then answered, while rolling her body onto my head, “I know you can’t see out. I spoke to a cat that lives in one.”

Now I ask my animal family, “How do you feel about living in a yurt?”

Laura Stinchfield

Stormy, my 12-years-young Aussie dog, says, “I think it is a good idea because then we can be close to nature and we will have fun being eco-friendly. Maybe life now is toxic. Also, what I love about living on the mountain is we are very close to the wildlife, and the wildlife need you to talk to them because they are getting confused. They don’t know why there are so many people.”

Makia, who is my oldest cat, says, “I like the idea of living in a yurt because it is a change. We need to be safe and we need adventure. We also need friends to help us. I love that we have friends that care about us. That is really special. One place has less trouble than the other. I think that we should make a beautiful place for ourselves in the mountain. I think there are angels there, too. I like the idea of living in a small space.”

My cat Serafina says, “I like the idea of seeing big sky and believing in nature every day. I want to see more stars. I miss the stars. I came from one of the lands [parcels] and I love it there. We are going to need lots of nooks for cats to hang out and I want a glass window too.”

Bean, the bunny, says, “I like the idea of living in a big room where I can see everyone at all times, from my pen. I also know that you will bring my ottoman and my castle, so that is all I need. I am happy wherever we go.”

Lucas the 10-month-old poodle, says, “I want to be close to the ocean because I like that smell. I want to be in a room with my family. I like to walk from where we live. I like to smell flowers. I like nice people. I am happy wherever we go.”

Joey, the cat from heaven, says, “Mom, you are going to feel so good living in a yurt. You are going to love it. Mom, you will be happy wherever you go and know that there is a team of angels making sure you make the right decision. You will not make a bad one, I promise. Mom, where is your heart? That is where you should go.”

Maia, wolf dog in heaven: “Mom, the farther way from town, the more relaxed and at peace you are.”

Related Links

Shadows in Space - Media Arts & Technology

An annual display of Master’s and Doctoral student work in ... Read More