6/3/07

Sunday Scribblings: Country

The topic for Sunday Scribblings this week is Town and Country. I chose country. You can find the complete collection of scribblings for the week here.


Country is where I live. I have never lived in a big city. When I visit cities I love to try different restaurants, go to Starbucks, browse book stores, and visit interesting sites. I only want to visit cities, then I want to go home.

Country is home. I may have to drive at least sixteen miles to get any services. Meals need to be planned. Grocery lists are ongoing. If we run out of something we improvise until we can get to town. We get by. It took awhile to get used to the planning, but now I like not running to the store as often. Being surrounded by pine trees, wildflowers, and dusty roads is home.

Country is quiet. Right now I can hear crickets chirping, a toad croaking, and a bird singing. I am very rarely awakened by noisy traffic. Our dogs barking at a raccoon is about as loud as it gets some days. After a day of teaching I crave the quiet.

Country is scenic. I do live in a beautiful part of Washington state. I can view lakes, mountains, pine forests, and orchards without driving more than ten minutes. I can observe deer, turkeys, a moose ( I saw one!) , swans, and bald eagles most any day. Sometimes I even see a brown bear. I can visit a babbling brook, an overflowing creek, and a clear mountain river by heading north a few miles.

Country is what I need. The quiet beauty of life in northeastern Washington is what I need at this time in my life. I left a more populated area. I knew I wouldn’t have a drive-thru bank and espresso every day. I knew I would have to do more shopping online and use the public library instead of buying books. All this has worked out. I needed the country to dig in roots and feel safe. I craved the slow pace, my surroundings, and the quiet. With my husband, dogs, cats, and rabbits we have been able to live in harmony away from city life.

Country is where I will stay.