Living in the Universal Sound Machine

You know the machine, with all the soothing sound effects, I’m looking at mine right now, “city sounds, water, rain, thunderstorm, ocean, swamp, nature...”, the electrical helper that you plug in, and it’s supposed to be relaxing, and they sold them to meditation centers, sleep clinics, and hassled moms. I had one in the pantry, set to stream sounds to get me in the zone for creative baking. My friend Cat had one in her Santa Monica apartment, during Covid, isolating, figuring out what came next and where would it be.

I now live in one. My cherished Tadpole Manor located in the rain forest. Outside my window, a 24/7 soundtrack is heard. What do I hear? The creek in all it's burbling glory in all seasons, frogs, salmon splashing while spawning,, birds, especially scolding bluejays, the rhythmic hammering of a woodpecker, wind coming up the valley, insects, rain, and thunder. Trees do fall in the forest starting with creaking sounds and then the deep resonate thump as it hits the ground and bashes other trees as it falls.