Swami often uses his airborne carpet for rides over the countryside of Countie Du Lac and has stumbled upon a profound observation about why life in these parts seems a little disjointed and discombobulated. Read on, dear collaborators, and see what he has to say ….
In any place that views itself as a single entity as an American county is supposed to do, the idea that 447 square miles of land and 715,000 people would share a lot of common values and life experiences may be a lot to ask for.
So, as the Swami is cruising through the genteel environs of Kildeer and Long Grove and Lake Zurich and Buffalo Grove this weekend and chatting with the denizens therein, we have encountered what might be a point of view we’re sure others have encountered.
OK, OK, so it might not be profound. It’s just new TO US!
Swami has met any number of people who live in Lake County but have not, in their adult lives, ever been to Waukegan or North Chicago or Zion. Some are not even sure where those places are, though they pay property taxes in the same county.
We are equally sure that we could stroll down the streets of Waukegan and North Chicago and Zion and find an equal number of people who have only a general idea of where Lake Zurich is. They have never actually been there and have no wish to ever be there.
If they have somehow stumbled across the Interstate highway that slices northward to Wisconsin, it was only because they were lost in the morning fog, or because they were riding in a car with their husband who was lost and wouldn’t ask anyone where he was.
Swami thinks there essentially are several Lake Counties, none of which share anything with each other more than the common county name. In fact, Lake County is a lot like Yugoslavia, except without so many mountains and fewer ethnic death squads, too.
There’s the Fat Cat Lake County along the sound shore with an enclave in far western Nation of Barrington (We’re Fatter Than You Fat Cat Lake County).
There’s the Poor as Church Mice Lake County (you know where you are) and then there’s the Vast Western Wilderness Lake County which, ironically enough, has all the good roads and shopping centers that actually are “upscale.” (Swami has found that every strip mall development in Lake County is called “upscale” as if you needed an appointment to buy a lug wrench at Menard’s.)
Then there’s the Lake County which is actually mostly lakes, but not much else. In that part of the Countie Du Lac, the customary pastime is falling off Skidoos at 60 mph and almost drowning. Almost everyone on a Skiddoo is drunk.
This division of geographical interests has deep spiritual and political ramifications. On the other hand, who cares about THAT stuff? Tomorrow we’ll talk more of this topic.
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