Because I grew up in the shadows of the big apple, I know what it’s like to have just a three minute walk to the candy store, the video store, a few blocks to the library, the pet store, hardware, the post office. I know the convenience of ordering take-out and having it delivered to your door 2o minutes later. I knew that if I missed the bus after school, I could atleast walk the distance. Actually, I didn’t have to take a bus until middle school. My friends were right outside the door most of the time… and my mother could yell for us to come in from way down the block.
Around here there is no delivery service for take-out food, and it’s 2o minutes by auto to the closest major grocery store. Kids playdates involve getting in the car. To run a few errands might take a while, because not much is close to anything else, especially if you’re looking for a decent pair of jeans. ( Tell me, is there such a thing anymore? Or is it just my aging body. Nevermind)
But there is gold in these hills… in the form of generous townfolk who bake goods for your cause, who leave casseroles at your doorstep when your family is in crisis… who show up to help assemble and take down tents when they pass by and see you struggling (understatement!). It’s not always seen or felt or appreciated, this blanket of community, but it’s there when you need it.
LOVE this! got all sorts of warm and fuzzy coming off of this one!
I grew up IN the Big Apple, and I now live out in the country, so I understand this post COMPLETELY!
🙂
Patricia
75 cents for a tomato? I coulda made a fortune this summer.
It is wonderful to love where you live….and live where you love! How perfect! xo Diana
What a sweet post! I live in a neighborhood like yours and am thankful every day!
Enjoy your week.
Pam
When I get to my hometown I am immediatley engulfed in love and friendship. Nothing like it…
somehow i have lucked out….i live in what feels like a tiny community…aka great neighborhood….and can be at target in 4 minutes and
my hubby can walk to starbucks on the weekends.
we have looked at places "further out" but i think i'm lazy…i just can't give up the being close to things that make my life easier. see i'm a weenie.
and now my daughter has the same gene…she just got a new apt. where a different target {we have 3 of them} is 30 steps out the back of her building….
what have i done to my child ????
xo
It takes a good neighbor to have good neighbors so I am guessing that you are a big part of your neighborhood!
On that note Mr O and I keep talking about moving to a small city where things are closer…but have never found anything we like as much as our country home.
I would love to be somewhere else, someplace slow and laid back, with grass instead of concrete. My problem is, my kids live here and I'm not willing to leave my kids.
I struggle with someday living far from the city just to have the animals I'd like … and then, I love the convenience of the city as well. Oh my!
It is a very good thing that I do not live four minutes from Target! Love living in the country too Karen!
Well, It takes a good neighbor to have good neighbors so I am guessing that you are a big part of your neighborhood.
porn blocker
All good people meet other good people! That's the way of the land…:)JP
I am a small town girl as well. I think the internet brings me as close to the city as I want to get these days. I have enjoyed your blog while I was on "vacation".
Carol
I raised my kids and lived for nearly 25 years in a rural community. It was great.
And now I'm enjoying living in the city. Love this as well!
We often say if we had tons of money we'd have a few places – one near water, one in the country, one in Mexico, one in the city, etc.
Dreamers!
When our girls were little, and into their teens, we lived in a fantastic suburban neighborhood where everyone knew everyone else. Things change, and people move … us included. Now that we live in the country, we have recaptured a bit of the feeling of neighborhood, and family, and community … and I can go out and water my plants in my PJs if I want to.
Get thee to The Gap and try on their Long and Lean jeans. They are my current favorites and they fit me PERFECTLY … you and I are about the same size and shape, I think. Slight flare to the legs, and just enough lycra to make them feel great.
A lovely post, Karen. While I don't live on a farm, we're considered out in the country at least as far as Jax is concerned. Growing up, we lived on a couple of acres and loved it! It's kind of weird that we knew all of our neighbors back then, and now I only know a few. 🙂
20 minutes to the grocery store here too. It's worth it 🙂
Everything is a bit of a drive for us as well, but the one thing I wouldn't change? Our school is less than a mile down the road we live on. The kids can walk to school and the neighborhood is both safe and community minded. We've looked at moving, but I'll trade the 25 minutes to Target for the safety and warmth of the people we choose to live with 🙂
Love that notecard and that your warm spirit is appreciated the way it is right where you are!
Our area is a bit like that as well. Everyone pretty much knows everyone on our street.. SO much nicer than when we lived in Phoenix.
Hubby would be there buying your tomatoes on a daily basis… 🙂
I'm glad you're here too! And I keep looking at that note.
Still looking.
Wow, their handwriting looks just like mine.
Weeeird.
My heart belongs to the country! There are about 2 dozen people in our valley and we all look out for one another, mostly. There are a few who don't but that doesn't stop the rest of us from being nice -smile-.
Great post and I feel sorry for city folks…even though they do have great restaurants and fabulous grocery stores!
So true, if you have good neigbors and friends they are golden! Hope you guys are ok, did you have any damage from the storm? Sending a hug and prayer this morning!