I’ve been thinking about places / spaces a lot lately. It’s a common theme in the books and articles I’ve been reading, and I’ve been using those two words interchangeably in recent conversations as well. I’m not sure they should be interchanged so freely; I wonder now about the difference between their definitions, but I don’t have time to look them up or study them. So naturally I do.
space. n. 1. a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied. 2. the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.
syn: room, capacity, area, volume, expanse, extent, scope, latitude, margin, leeway, play, clearance.
place. n. 1. a particular position or point in space. 2. a portion of space available or designated for or being used by someone. “a place was reserved for her”
syn: location, site, spot, setting, position, situation, area, region, locale.
The differences are interesting to me. I’ll ruminate on those another day. For now I’ll pick out the meaty parts – this space has certainly been unoccupied lately. I tumble from one thing to the next at breakneck speed until I collapse into bed each night. It’s okay though, I’ve been here before. I am good at many of these things, and I’m glad to do them. I’m trying to do them well.
I’ll get back to this place soon. “a place was reserved for her” – what a treat to read that as an example. I’d like to set a goal for myself to post daily, in smaller doses, for the next month – starting later next week. I have so many notes on things I’ve wanted to talk about and share, and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel on so many of these outside commitments that have been demanding my time these days.
I thought I’d open the floor to you a bit as well. Anything in particular you’d like me to write about, update on, answer in this area? I’ve got thirty pieces to write – what would you like to hear more about or see more of? Let’s call this a kickoff to summer, a gentle nudge back into regular writing, filling this space. Reclaiming this place.
As I head into June and the mixed emotions it brings with Finn and Cale’s birthdays….the space/place definitions resonate a lot with me. Glad you shared.
As for topics – we are sort of getting ready to move and trying to simplify what to bring, what to store, what to part with. You strike me as someone who does a good job at weeding through the unnecessary and so I’m curious – what do you own in excess that you think you have too much of and what do you own in excess that you’re perfectly content with (I seem to hoard candles which isn’t necessary, but don’t mind an abundance of books for the kids so long as we continually enjoy them). Small examples, but first thing that came to mind.
Other topic – what is a skill you do not possess, but wish you did. Or totally unrelated to much – If you could meet two celebrity-ish people who would they be? Two who have died and two still living.
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Ooh, good ones. Noted.
I’ve always thought of space vs.
place as quantitative vs. qualitative – space has dimensions, length, height, number of items, while place is associated with feelings, impressions.
Looking forward to seeing your progress on the addition!
You’ve been ruminating about space and place for years now. Wasn’t that the focus of your undergrad thesis?
I often think about you when I cook and wonder what you think your strengths and weaknesses are. See, I’m horrible about following things step by step, always looking for efficiencies (that often aren’t there). There are tasks that I hate (peeling garlic and onions). What tasks do you hate? I lament my novice knife skills. What do you wish you could do better? But really, you could write about dirt and I’d be all in. 😉
I’m thinking of things I want to ask you about when I can snag you for a glass of wine or dinner… More kitchen talk? What kind of stuff do you want to put in it? What are your favorite kitchen things and what’s unnecessary? Summer in St. Louis is the best–what plans do you have besides Muny tickets? I’ve just started reading Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein and it has me thinking about girls and Princess culture. Have you read this? Thoughts on the princess culture in general? Reading anything really good?
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I just heard a Mark Kushner interview and I wonder about design. I love having really practical design info and knowing the way it can make you feel. I am in the middle of a move, too. We are trying to purge bad furniture and bad arrangements and it’s little things that hang me up like mirror height and size in the bathroom or coffee table height and little things like that which can make a significant difference.we aren’t renovating it making layout changes.
Also, I love stories about your kids and I live updates on various rooms in your house!
Sorry for typos! I meant to say that we aren’t renovating, just arranging and decorating, but still . . .