Lots of things we do just because we have to. Do you think that is one of the things women do not understand about us? Steve in Baltimore County.

George and Steve, This is one woman that understands. Sometimes when i was growing up,i had to run,to feel the wind,be part of it, to be wild and free because we had to.
A need to be in the woods to watch the unfolding of hunted and hunter in nature though i don't particapate, i only observe and still somehow am a part of it all. I think it is in our genetic makeup,some people more than others.

In this my older time sometimes i have to go look at the stars, The constellations, my friends since childhood,now i can be wild and free in the universe because i still have to.
vickie

Steve~ Women often feel the same way. The difference might be in when -or whether- you determine the difference between "have to" and "want to", followed by when -or whether- you act upon the impulse to "just do what you have to do." Of course, that slides immediately into definitions of maturity and how the hormonal secretions affect one's perceptions and impulse-control.

I think Gandle was considering a boy and his dog, exploring and taking in the pleasures of the natural world. I've not experienced the particular viewpoint of having a dear dog join in, but I have certainly experienced the desire to run for the sheer pleasure of running.

Gandle, I don't really know it was a "because we had to". I know running was some sort of empowerment and what better way than with our friend that never told on us or gossiped, or was mean to us, just always understanding and being there always for us - our dog or in my case granpa's or uncle Eben's dogs in the country.
Running barefooted down the sandy country roads in the sand hills, long hair blowing in the wind, laughter of what pleasure it brought to me. Stopping to watch that ol' rabbit or birds pouncing on the grasshoppers or just lay on the grass and pick out the clouds that had taken special form.
On grandpa's farm, had to wear shoes as there were sandburs. There too I could run with the dogs, pick wild flowers and go on our hunts to find those unknown "things" of the wild.
Sadly though, the time came and those people and dogs were gone and no more running free as I had. You brought back some special memories and I thank you for that. I don't think I ever had those feelings again, those too are just a memory.
Lynn