Having grown up in the country, on a farm, in a very small town, I thought the best thing in the world would be to become some high paid executive and move to the city. I would wear trendy clothes and intimidate unsuspecting men and have an orderly fast paced life with lots of shopping and high class parties.
I hatched this plan in high school and took several business classes. I started college with International Marketing in mind. Even struggling through business calculus and statistics I was undeterred.
Then I met a cute boy. A senior with his eye on medical school. And I really liked him. I figured I could be a doctor's wife and a high powered professional. So we got married and moved out of state. This was essential for my plan and his job. We bought a condo and settled in and loved the freedom we had. And while the city wasn't huge, it was a far cry from our roots.
Before we knew it we had kids and had moved to suburbia and really, I was just fine with that. I still had my plans. Then one day while I was back home visiting my family a funny thing happened.
We are driving through the country and my girls are fighting. I turn around and attempt to distract them with a clever suggetion. "Why don't you look out the window and count how many ditches you can find?"
Blank stare.
"What is a ditch?" my oldest asks.
What is a ditch? Seriously! Oh how far have I come that my children don't know what a ditch is?
"It's the dip in the ground that carries water to the fields." I explain slowly and point out the window, thinking they will now ask more questions. Questions about the country, the farms, maybe the cows. I am all geared to explain, like the time my neice, who also had not lived in the country, asked, "Why did they put the bales of hay all over the field like that?"
"Oh." They both turn. "I see one!" The oldest yells. "I am winning!" Apparently they don't need to know more. Not when there is a competition in progress. So much for the stories I could tell.
But it got me thinking. So when we moved I decided I wanted a little space for my kids to make outdoor memories. Close to a Banana Republic, of course. But as it turns out, if you want space you have go move out, way out, of the city. (Maybe I exaggerate--we are thirty minutes from a very large city, but it felt very far) There was no Banana Republic. I would have to drive forty-five minutes to get to one. But really, I do have a computer and a credit card!
So we purchased our little two-thirds of an acre (which is basically on a golf course-my quasi country house) and sighed with delight at the space.
Six months go by.
Man this place is crowded! I really don't want to hear my neighbors while they barbecue. I really need more trees for my kids to climb in. Wouldn't it be fun to plant an orchard, and a really big garden? Did I mention I started canning? And we got a dog! (granted he is a Maltese. . .do those really count? probably not--scratch that).
Who is this person I have become? What happened to the big city girl inside, bursting with impatience to get out?
You know, I don't really miss her. I love my life. I love space and quiet, county fairs and simple pleasures.
This post is longer than I intended. What I really want to know is, are you a City Dweller, or a County Lover? And did you always know, or come full circle like me? Just wondering.
6 comments:
I think I fall somewhere in the middle... I grew up out in the middle of nowhere, northeast ct, and I always hated that I had to drive 45 minutes to find a Gap or a movie theater. Now I've lived in West Hartford for the last 2 years. Certainly no city, but I can walk to restaurants, the library, the movie theater, all within only a few minutes. And I love it.
I love reading your posts, they're great. I wish I had as much to say or as many interesting thoughts as you do. I think I am a country girl all the way. I mean, I would never want to live in the middle-of-no-where Arkansas, but I definitely don't want to live in a big city either. I like no rush hour, no big shopping malls, and no 5 lane freeways.
While I lived in the country (on a farm!), I HATED it! I hated that I could see nothing but fields and hills out my window. So, we moved to the (kind of) big city into an apartment with a cool downtown view. And I was introduced to the joy of hauling your bags up several flights of stairs. And neighbors who did step aerobics after midnight.
So, now I'm in suburbia--just happy that I still have family to go visit in the country, and can be downtown in just minutes--somewhere in the middle. and that feels just right.
One of my best friends lives in Brooklyn. Every time she calls me--day or night---in her apartment or out---it is SOOOOOO loud (sirens, honking, yelling, construction sounds!) So much for the romance of living in New York :)!
My home is perfect... somewhere in the middle. It is somewhat in the city but our backyard backs up to the Natchez Trace. We watch the deer, wildlife and quiet. But we also enjoy the convenience. (Congrats on being a Saucy Blog!)
I love the country, but am a city gal. But, we're talking a Texas city and that's different... we're still country even when it's the 4th largest city in the US...hmmm
I just love reading your blog! I laughed out loud when I got to the part about the girls not knowing what a ditch is. I'm a city/suburban girl, having grown up and lived here my whole life. And I love all the things we can do because of it. But I sure would love to get out of this condo and have a little room for my ever growing kids to run around and be able to explore the outdoors. I think a little farther out of town would be nice.
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