Unfinished and decaying, solo living in old age in Kyrgyzstan

Unfinished and decaying Solo living in old age in KyrgyzstanThe grass is growingThe grass has grown long outside Aigerim apa's 1 house.Unlike the neighboring houses it is not hidden behind a fence, and as my field assistant 2 and I approach it, in the early fall of 2019, it is the grass in the surrounding garden that catches my eye: long and lush, with patches of wildflowers here and there.The house, which is relatively small, almost disappears in the green wilderness, which makes such a contrast to the greyish brown brick walls and metallic fences which surround the neighboring plots, protecting them from intruders and outside gazes and keeping chicken and watchdogs from running loose."It is my house, I can prove it", Aigerim apa says after she has asked us to sit down and enjoy the tea she has prepared, and we have thanked her for her hospitality.She gets up and finds her documents: stacks of yellowed documents, bent and greyish at their corners, and she leaves through them under the dim light of her lamp."My neighbors want to force me out so that they can take over the house.They see the grass is growing and know that I am alone, and they think I am weak."☆ This article is part of a Special issue entitled: 'Solo Living in Old Age' published in Journal of Aging Studies.