Untitled

A cairn I found in the front yard of a home in the Patty Jewett neighborhood. Actually, there were several cairns in this particular yard. I have mixed feelings about modern day cairns. Generally, throughout human history they've more or less been utilized as man made landmarks, although in some cultures they've had ceremonial purposes as well. But cairns have become a trendy part of American culture lately, and people seem to have assigned a vaguely new age-y significance to them. (Exactly what, I don't know.) To be honest I find it a little silly. Every time I come across a cairn out in nature, I can't help but think that someone put it there just so they can take a picture of it with their iPhone and show all their Facebook friends how in touch with nature they are -- that is, as soon as they get back to a civilized spot that has wifi. (I know, I know. I'm a cynic.) But then again there are plenty of even sillier things in our culture, so I guess in the grand scheme of things, why not have a cairn in your front yard, right?