I’ve known people

I’ve known people who cannot for the life of them understand why I want to live in the Midwest.

To those people, I say, I don’t like big bugs, hurricanes, earthquakes, or poisonous snakes.

Maybe it’s in where I grew up.  I grew up on a small farm in Illinois.  Yes, there is a place in Illinois called “tornado alley.” We didn’t live near there.  We lived on a charming, older farmstead with geese, cows, chickens, a few pigs, dogs, and cats.  Many, many cats.

I loved growing up on a farm!  It taught me many things, especially the importance of solitude.  I did my best work amid the trees, bundled in my winter coat, studying.

My children have not had that luxury.  In fact, they grew up in a small, nosey village, surrounded by people who were either suspicious of them or patently unkind.  It’s sad.  I did the best I could, but it wasn’t enough.

But I digress, Yes, we have many many cold days here.  However, these ensure that all of the nasty bug population dies off every year.  It is too cold for poisonous snakes and we only have one poisonous spider – the brown recluse, which I’ll admit I have never seen in my nearly half century in this locale. 

When autumn comes, with its magical changing leaves, I rejoice in the crisp air and the rattling leaves as they bluster down the drive!

The bare branches of the oak trees are like hands reaching for the sky in November and lend a stark beauty to the land.

The first frosts of winter paint the trees as glistening lights.  When there is ice on every vestige, it is a lovely, silent retreat.

The long days of winter finally break free into spring and then to summer, flowering over the landscape.  This is my land, my home.  I wouldn’t want to live elsewhere.

So, as the weather warms and the flowers burst forth in their yearly dance with the warm breezes, I urge you to look for the things that are special where you live.

Please share them with me!