There’s a restaurant at the south end of Main Street, just before you head into town. It has been there the whole 24 years we have lived here and maybe 24 years before that. It used to be almost the only choice for dining out. The menu has not changed in all that time either. It’s basically a local watering hole where friends meet and greet and take time to enjoy good food and good visits. So why change a good thing?
I stopped by to pick up a newspaper when a car alarm went off in the parking lot and a young woman jumped up and ran out to a very sporty sports car. Here’s the conversation I overheard among the local country folks watching her from the inside:
“Who locks their cars around here anyways?”
“Foreigners maybe.”
“She must be from New York. Only New Yorkers lock their cars”
“ Yep, Has to be from New York.”
“Figures it’s a woman huh?”
“Think she’s moving here?”
“Probably one of those Northerners. Yanks always buy two horses and build a house on a hill.”
“Yeah, then a big storm comes and they can’t get out of the driveway.”
“Maybe she’ll move to Florida instead.”
“Must be from New York.”
The odd thing is, my husband (originally from New York) and I built a house on a hill, adopted two horses and two dogs, and then had to get a vehicle with 4-wheel drive to cope with winter storms. The difference is, we never moved to Florida because we found Camelot right here.
Smiling, I finished paying for my paper and left the restaurant. Something told me to look at the license plate of the lady’s car.
Sure enough, the woman was from New York.
Country Tip for City Dudes:
– If you move South in the U.S. for the rural life, be prepared to enjoy local commentary and smile.
I come from a small town in PA like that. Everything you do comes under scrutiny and they will tell you whether they approve or not. They will also keep an eye on your house, bring you food in times of need and give you hugs when you need them.
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I’ll never forget when I first moved from the city to the country. I was the butt of every joke when I sent home a newspaper from a nearby little town, the headline of which was about the local rubber duck races. Now, in the town where I work all you see are advertisements right now for the Worm Charming Festival. So, the country folk may talk about the city folk, but the city folk laugh about us country folk too! 🙂
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You’re right – absolutely right Kate. Thanks! [?]
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There’s no right or wrong of it right? Charm and character in both city and country… depends on what your craving at any particular time. Actually, I would like to have an apartment in mid-town big-city somewhere, and a cottage in the country, plus a house on the beach. Ah well. One can dream. I always love your comments!
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Thanks Dor! It’s nice to be able to enjoy both city and country. That’s why I like living where I do because I am in the country but only an hour and a half from a major city. And yes, dreaming is good. Maybe one day our dreams will come true :).
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Funny. When we moved to Georgia, our neighbor 2 houses over came to help us move in. I had a 6 mo. old baby, and she asked if she could watch him. As if I would give over my child to a perfect stranger! The she asked if she could do wash for us. Crazy.
In CA where we were from you never trust any of your neighbors with your wash, let alone your baby! They ended up being very good neighbors. They liked us because I was originally from Canada, which was far enough north to be safe. Kel was from CA, but as she said all the nuts and bolts came from there–again no threat. But the neighbor who used to live between us. Argh. They were from NY, and that was soooooooooo not acceptable in Jawwwja! (Did you get the accent? 🙂
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Lilly, your accent is purrrrfect! We found out if we say we are from “Northern” Virginia, well, it’s still Virginia, so we must be o.k. 🙂
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Funny post! I just found your blog by way of Writing for Daisies. My husband and I are relatively new (since October ’11) to Alexandria, VA, by way of Maryland (National Harbor … horrible!), by way of Connecticut. The adjustment has been … difficult … but I do like Virginia and much of the surrounding area. You’re welcome to read about some of my trials and tribulations at my blog. My posts will make you appreciate your area even more. It sounds so lovely.
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Glad you found me. We came to this part of VA by way of Springfield, VA! Looking forward to reading your posts too. Bet we have much in common! 🙂 Dor
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