July 3rd 2012

Creative writing prompt: In four hundreds words, create your ideal place.

Standing in the middle of 2,000 acres of my ideal place, I feel a cool breeze rolling across the valley that encompasses my life. To my east, 200 yards away, is a large horse barn. The natural stone building shelters a brick-floored isle of 20 horse stalls, a large feed room, and tack room.

Just now, I hear the rhythmic ‘click clacking’ of a horse’s hooves following the lead of his master’s hand to the lush green pasture beyond the stable yard.    

In the west, the sun is setting behind a forest-covered hill that leads to wood-lined trails.

A gurgling creek can be heard meandering through the valley.

Undisclosed is the location of a cave residing in these hills. This special clandestine is a place fitting for summer picnics, where privileged guests can find cooler temperatures and a pool of water in which to sink bare toes.

I turn south to face toward the warm, lamp-like glow radiating from my ranch-style porch. At the peak of the house, a large stone chimney rises above the heart of the home. Under this roof, the joint kitchen/dinning room is warmed by the double-sided fireplace, whose crackling song plays on the air.  The fireside glow flickers over the expansive oak dinning table - a table well known by family and friends as a canvas to delectable platters.

On the opposite side of the hearth is the great room, where family and friends enjoy a view of the valley through the north-facing, floor-to-ceiling bay windows.

Far north are countryside fields of corn, wheat, and hay. These fields produce bread for the table and feed for the cattle and horses that dot the pastures.

A shooting range is tucked away in the south corner to this valley.   Stacked railroad ties compose a wood target against the hillside.  The ties are peppered from target practice, with many a shot taken in friendly rivalry.   

To the northwest of the house, a sandlot gives footing to animated games of volleyball. When not in use, the grains of sand transform into worlds of castles and moats in the hands of children with endless imagination.

Beside the house, two ornate gardens are lined with rows of tomatoes, beans, peppers, onions, herbs, carrots, melons, and countless others edibles destined to become masterwork hor d’oeuvres or banquet fare.

This is my ideal place, a place giving shelter and provender for my family, friends, and livestock.