Like most teenagers growing up I thought that cities were The Best. There could be nothing better in the world than being surrounded by culture and coolness 24 hours a day. Maybe I figured that if cities were amazing, then I must also be amazing by virtue of living in one. (But if you walk through any city, you realize that there are a lot of people living there who are anything but amazing.) I just figured that when I grew up I would always live in a city. Because I’m Smart and Sophosticated. I’m a city kind of girl, right?
As I get older it’s still fun to spend time in cities every once in a while, but for the most part I just roll my eyes at the whole self-important feeling that permeates most big cities. I don’t care about keeping up with the Joneses, which seems to be the biggest pastime in cities. Nor do I care about business, trendiness of any sort, or really even culture that much (although it pains me to admit that).
Last week I found myself driving through a darling little town about an hour away. One house that I passed by was pretty and yellow with white gingerbread trim and a big American flag out front. All I could think was how much I wanted to live there. As I get older a slower, friendlier lifestyle is becoming more appealing. I’m not so interested in cool new restaurants; I’d rather find a cute cafĂ© that serves really good pie. I don’t really care about concerts or who the hot new singers are. This morning I spent a couple of hours listening to the Bluegrass channel on my XM radio–on Sundays it’s religious Bluegrass; songs about country preachers and well-worn bibles. It’s not even meant to be ironic. It’s just really sincere music. And I’m really digging that sort of sincerity these days.
Honestly I don’t want to live in the middle of nowhere, because let’s face facts, I hate Walmart. And we all know that if you live in a small town Walmart is the best you’re going to get. But I do like the idea of knowing all my neighbors (not so easy in suburbia when everybody is moving in and out all the time). I like the idea of my kids being able to find nature easier than driving to a park. I like the idea of a cute little main street and a sense of history. And of course I love friendliness. I like that when I go to a small town around here people all say hello and smile at me. I like that if I go into the gas station I find out within three minutes that the clerk has served two tours in Iraq and that his little boy likes trains.
I don’t really know what this means for me. I’m not a farming type of girl (seeing as how I’m lazy and don’t like to go outside unless vitally necessary), so that’s pretty much out. I love to imagine farming; the idea is so very appealing. But it’s just not going to happen. I guess I can try to live my honest-to-goodness lifestyle here in the burbs. I will have my foot halfway between the city (yay for SuperTarget and Costco and multiplexes!) and one foot in the country (yay for living in a state with lots of sweet little towns and nice people!) I’ll just have to settle for a big american flag and lemonade on the porch overlooking my cul-de-sac.
I'm right there with ya. We want land. Like acreage land, but I don't want to be so far out we can't do a late night grocery run, or have decent schools that aren't 20 miles away. But eventually, perhaps when the kids are grown, we'll move out and get our ranch. Then I'll hire some ranch dudes to work it for me while I lounge on my porch.
I wanted to move to half of the little towns we drove through on the way home from AZ!
If we both move to the same small town we could carpool to Costco and Super Target!
And since I am home we need to catch up!!
I know what you mean. I kind of live in the country and I love it. The city's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there!
See, I actually would farm if my husband would do it. But he's more of a technology/city type. He won't even help garden in our back yard!
So if both our husbands ever die simultaneously and leave us fortunes, lets buy a cute farmhouse not too far from the city and hire an out of work farmer to run it for us, K?
What a darling, heartwarming blog, Jennie. I loved your feelings, and feel them, too. But I notice you did a great job raising those chickens in West Jordan. And you did have a compost bin. Golly, you're half way there!
Hilde, What color is the house? I have been searching the net for a warn yellow and like yours best. Getting ready to paint the farm house soon. Want it to give off a warm welcoming feel. Your house does that. Thank, Brenda
Alas, it is not my house. Only one that I drove by last year. I love the color too!
We are thinking of changing our farm house color from white to yellow. Can you tell me what bran and color you painted your beautiful home. Thank you!,
Hi Dian,
Sadly, this is not my house. Just one I passed by when I was driving through the country. Wish I could be of more help!