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Category: Serendipity | Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:07 pm

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There are quite a few advantages to living in a small town.

First, if there is anything that needs fixing, a neighbor has a recommendation. Often it is a relative of the neighbor, but that person has a double burden--keeping up the family's reputation and getting more recommendations. We have found roofers, tree trimmer/removal services, handymen, and car repair places this way. Each one has worked out well.

If you go to the feed store and have forgotten to bring cash, they'll trust you until the next time. They don't forget that you owe them but they also don't take back the feed sacks that they just loaded into your truck.

If your truck is in the shop for an inspection, and you take the car into town to get something, someone will call and ask if there is an emergency ("I saw both vehicles were gone. Is everything all right?") and if everything isn't all right, the caller asks what can they do.

A siren is closely monitored. If it goes down the state highway no one gets overly concerned. However, if it goes down a country road, there is a parade of pick-up trucks following it, driven by men in hats with fire extinguishers and six-packs of beer. The ladies are at home heating up casseroles and calling their neighbors and relatives. there is a whole network of caring/helping people that go into action at the sound of a siren.

And of course, births! If there is an imminent baby, everyone goes into high gear. Knitting, quilting, baking (the new mama won't have the time/strength to cook properly) and letting everyone know that there is a baby on the way! Everything is delivered as soon as the mama is on the way to the hospital (and you wouldn't believe how quickly that word gets out) and then for a week only the family members are allowed to visit (new mama and baby don't need to be disturbed). After that first week, all bets are off and there are lines of folks at the door of the baby's home. Each baby is the most beautiful anyone has seen. If you've seen a newborn, you know how kind and somewhat blind these nice folks are.

So, living in a small town, or near one, has its advantages. Mostly the advantages are the folks who populate these small towns, and have learned to depend on each other in times of happiness and grief.


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eileen wrote on Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:29 pm:

I know just what you mean Jane coming from a little village myself.
There's always someone there to help, or be helped, and everyone knows everybody else.
Isn't it nice that, in this modern world, there are still places like ours around?

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mart wrote on Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:14 am:

And if you pass someone driving on these country roads,,they always wave even if they don`t know you !!

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KK Ng wrote on Tue Oct 21, 2014 3:06 am:

That is the good life, reminds me of my childhood in the village ... sigh!

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Frank wrote on Tue Oct 21, 2014 9:02 am:

Love your writings MG. Apart from the odd nosy neighbor problem small town / village living is as great as you describe!

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