cottage – Tacky Raccoons

Soviet Dachas

“A ‘dacha’ is a country cottage, made of wood, used by Soviet citizens to escape the rigors of the city for rural idyll.
[…]
“The word ‘dacha’ has been used to describe constructions ranging from grand imperial villas to small sheds. Originally bestowed by the Tsar to reward courtiers, this custom continued following the revolution, with Soviet cooperatives building dachas for their members. Supposedly for the benefit of labourers, in reality they were destined for those favoured by the State.”

Photos by Fyodor Savintsev from the book Dacha (2023).
[Images and caption found here, via Thompson, Blog.]

A Red Cottage Stands On A Small Hill

A red cottage stands on a small hill. Seen from afar it appears in good shape there among the bushes, but closer up one sees the boarded windows and rotted steps. The people have gone.

I peek in through the window. Inside it looks lived in. People have left their mark: wrinkled rag rugs, things on the table and on the edge of the toppled fireplace. Toys and tops of cooking pots strewn across the floor, a torn bag in the corner. As for the current occupants, sand and dry hay, chewed items and the path under the stove tell of them.

The cottage is being used by badgers…