My kids have complained now and again about where we live. They say, “There is NOTHING to do here" or “This place is a dump." I think they miss its strong suit - simplicity.
For example, while other communities flaunt hot pink flamingos or those sun-charged patio lights, we can experience a pilgrimage without leaving the yard at Our Lady of the Dish (formerly a tub) while nearby, a wide-variety of gardening backsides, shadow cut outs, surrounded by a colorful mix of annuals and weeds, offer our children yards of fun.
The untrained eye doesn’t see that the abandoned cars in our yards and hedgerows are monuments to our strong sense of commitment, a valuable thing to teach our children. Not only do these old cars insure an endless supply of spare parts, but we are very attached to them. We name them things like “Petunia" or “Sparky," and consider them part of the family, sometimes leaving them gifts of air fresheners or large speakers under the tree at Christmas. These “significant others" are included in the family photo albums and one can often hear Grandma say things like, “Look, there’s when we got Bubby from college and Petunia made it all the way from Oswego with one brake working." It’s all very warm and fuzzy.
Unique to this type of town is the lack of Joneses. Here there aren’t any of those challenging people to keep up with. We don’t know who they are, and we are not in a hurry to find them. They would always be welcome of course, as we are hospitable people, but they would have to do some adjusting. (Only “upkeep" is permissible here.)
Like the mural from the 1940s on our Post Office wall, we like the present at that time, and plan to continue living in it. The future arrives here just a tad late - about 10 -20 years late - and we are just fine with that. Being in “fashion" here is much easier to afford, and saves us parents a bundle on clothing, sneakers, electronic devices, etc.
We know how to savor trends like fine wine, keeping once trendy things in our cellars like vintners. We know that they will be called out again in about 20 years, like when hip huggers resurfaced. Off came the Partridge Family patches, and we were good to go. Imagine, people paying for “vintage" clothing. It’s almost laughable, but we are kind people and don’t usually delight in others’ lack of foresight.
Our strong environmentalist tradition of recycle, reuse and reclaim is especially evident during our annual Community Yard Sale. On the first Saturday in May, people come for miles to pay homage to our collective practices, and we sell them hot dogs, chips and pop at outrageous prices to help pay for flowers and banners to decorate the main drag.
We decorate in this way because want our town looking nice for visitors because we are considering attracting more of them due to the recently re-discovered Erie Barge Canal. I say “re-discovered" only because it was virtually ignored for years. In truth, the canal hasn’t changed one iota but suddenly, boaters, bikers and joggers are using it. (Moving fast around here is a sure sign you’re a visitor.)
This movement on the canal is a bone of contention among residents. The trick is to move ahead while standing still and this has locals in a quandary as they contemplate how to do this. We want what’s good for the economy but are reticent to give up our insulation to the outside world and full exposure to its influences.
Also among our other assets is our drive-in movie theatre with 3, count ‘em, 3 screens. Kids can’t experience the thrill of hiding in the car trunk so they don’t have to pay admission just anywhere, now can they? There is a snack shop and an ice cream stand there too because we like our sugars and fats, and parents find that a little Lipitor goes a long way.
Life here does pose some dilemmas. While we love the slow pace and lack of the Joneses, there are very few places for our kids to find jobs after we are done raising them here. Hence, they move away and usually leave us another old car to store in the shed or hide in the old brush behind the barn, not to mention that we miss them. Not to worry as our elected officials (one is running for President but I won't mention any names) have promised that they are going to deliver jobs galore any day now. Another of our virtures is patience, but we have memories like elephants so making empty promises is a tricky business to be sure.
Personally, I love our seven restaurants, four bars, five churches, drive-in movie theatre (with 3 screens), four gas stations, liquor store, Laundromat and lack of places for gainful employment. If we wanted crime, drugs and huge billboards with sexy things dripping from them we’d travel the 400 miles to New York City. We don’t need some big city slicker telling us what we need and what we should do. Golly. It’s just like my kids think this is Mayberry RFD and people around here aren’t sophisticated enough to understand a putdown when they hear one.
And that’s not very good for Aunt Bea’s blood pressure.
Mary Fagan has an M.S. in Education and is the mother of three children. She also has the grey hairs to prove it. When not watching them closely, Ms. Fagan offers humorous insights on parenting and motherhood at www.motherwise.us.
» left by Susan Thom(8,138) Susan Thom (223 days 14 hours ago.)
excellent mary,
i like how that brain of yours works.
i'm never quite sure when you're joking or not, in this piece, it kept me on my toes. a lot went into this article, i prefer story, because i think that's what they are, between the town and the kids and the present and the past. very interesting. and of course, funny and very clever. and i experienced the same thing, so i also can relate. my 2 older kids moved to big cities, and i never see them. there was never any employment, or anything to do around here, either. no traffic, no industry, just country and nature, ah, i love it. thanks for sharing. i enjoyed your story,
best regards,
sue
» left by Mary Fagan(582) Mary Fagan (223 days 3 hours ago.)
Hey Sue - First of all, thank you for your comments. Secondly, I never know if I am kidding or not either. I believe they are a story, told with a wink. The things are so true but I love to look at life, find what is interesting, then highlight that with a smile. And I am so glad you enjoyed it as that's what I was going for. Have a great weekend, my friend. ~ Mary Respond to this comment
» left by James P Krehbiel(1,331) James P Krehbiel (222 days 12 hours ago.)
Mary,
I am sure you would love it in Scottsdale, AZ! This is the home of the famous magazine (that went out of business by the way) named by the zip code 85255. These are the people in my area who sit around at the pool and say, "materialism isn't everything Betty; I know Doris." You'd love it! LOL. Great read. Thanks. Respond to this comment
» left by Mary Fagan(582) Mary Fagan (216 days 13 hours ago.)
James, It sounds like I would like it in good old 85255, as I am sure you do. And I certainly do agree with Doris. Thanks for your comment! Respond to this comment
» left by Dianne Lehmann(2,588) Dianne Lehmann (220 days 22 hours ago.)
In 1993, my husband and I left SoCal for someplace less crowded, quieter and slower paced. We moved to Dewey, AZ; just about an hour and a half from James' Scottsdale.
In the last few years, the area comprising Prescott, Prescott Valley and the recently incorporated town of Dewey-Humboldt, has grown like crazy. We find ourselves missing the simpler life that we had. Sure our choices for shopping were limited, but everyone smiled and said "hi" whether they knew you or not. The list of things we miss is very long.
I liked your article and found it to be a good reminder of how things once were and, perhaps, should be again. Respond to this comment
» left by Mary Fagan(582) Mary Fagan (216 days 13 hours ago.)
Boy, Dianne. Your comment about everyone saying "hi" whether they know you or not really strikes home. My kids were so used to that happening that they didn't understand why when we visited relatives in other places people were so unfriendly. Thank you for your comments. Respond to this comment
» left by Myla Madson(2,292) Myla Madson (220 days 20 hours ago.)
Hi Mary, what a great article..uhh story I mean. You know I once lived in the hustle and bustle of a thriving metropolis and hated every second of it. I moved to the outskirts of town where neighbors were seperated by yards instead of inches, and you know what I found out? Neighbors are even more annoying and intrusive when you live out in the country and everyone has that "come on over, the door's always open" attitude. I can't begin to tell you how many compromising positions I've been caught in by my well meaning neighbor bringing me an eggplant from his garden. I had never even seen an eggplant until I moved out to the sticks, but boy are these folks passionate about their vegetables! And you are soooo right about the old cars, I didn't get it before but thanks for cluing me in to the emotions that are involved, I'll quit calling and reporting them to city officials...he-he. Anyway, I just love your writing style. So smooth and easy to read yet so full of emotion and thought provoking content. lol Myla Respond to this comment
» left by Mary Fagan(582) Mary Fagan (216 days 13 hours ago.)
Hey, Myla. Around here it is zuccini. People can't get rid of them fast enough as they grow like weeds and there are only so many recipes one can find for this veggie. I can relate to the "open door" policy as I have been in my pajamas when someone decided to pay a neighborly visit to drop off some extra zuccini or the like. Luckily we have four seasons and zuccini can only grow in one! Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz (220 days 10 hours ago.)
Hi Mary, I feel you- we live in a town with 1 grocery store, 2 banks, 5 resturants,3 coffee shops, 1 gym and 5 used car lots. Oh, and I just love it when one of the local farmers is in the drive-thru line at Dairy Mart. :-) Thanks for the laugh's you are a genius! What a gift you have. Very clever-I'm jealous :-) Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Mary Fagan(582) Mary Fagan (216 days 13 hours ago.)
Wow - I am impressed and now I am jealous. You have a gym! And 5 used car lots? We don't have a single one. Enjoy all that you have, Teresa. (Great name - I named my daughter the same thing.) Respond to this comment
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