Is it possible that talk of gravitational waves stretching or contracting spacetime confuses the picture, at least from the “hitch-hiker’s” point of view?

Perhaps we should ask ourselves a few questions, and try answering them. Different people might generate different answers, but here are mine.

Does gravity exist?.... Yes.
Does gravity have a physical influence?.... Yes.
Is gravity a field?.... Yes.
Is it possible to perturb a field?.... Yes.
Is it likely that perturbations of a field would manifest as waves?.... Yes.
Given the above, is it reasonable to assume that gravitational waves might exist?.... Yes.

Is that an oversimplification?....Yes, but it works for me.

There never was nothing.