If there's one thing small-town Iowa is good for, it's wondering. I suppose if we lived elsewhere, I probably wouldn't get as much wondering done. Yesterday, for my sanity, I had to at least get out of the house, even if it was only to walk "downtown". One of these days I'm going to get a picture of downtown. I'm pretty sure I can get it all in one shot without even using the panoramic feature. Not kidding. Okay, maybe I am...a little. I guess I'll find out.
As I was wondering and wandering yesterday, I started thinking about how much I miss and love Virginia Beach. I wondered how on earth people actually ended up in towns like these. Did they actually choose to move here of their own accord? Why? Why would anyone in their right mind choose this place? Everything about it is old, bleak, depressing. Take a walk "downtown". Now I have to go back down there today to get pictures documenting all of this so that you can see for yourself. I'm not lying.
FOR SALE
FOR RENT
SPACE AVAILABLE
BARBER SHOP "Walk-ins Welcome"...but not really. (More on that later)
FOR SALE
KEEP OUT: ASBESTOS! CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD!
SPACE AVAILABLE
CARPET, FURNITURE, AND MORE (Too bad no one came over to greet me; I had money to spend in there!)
FOR SALE
A tiny grocery store (in which I question the temperature of the refrigerators...maybe it's just my years in the restaurant biz, but those refrigerators seemed to struggle)
Two bars, one of which is for sale
Signs that appear to be original to the establishments
So, how and why does one choose a place like this to be called home? What do people love about this town that makes them stay permanently? I know that if I was calling the shots, this would be one of the last places I'd call home. What is the allure of small-town life?
It's quiet. Well, except for the trains that blast through your backyard. Except for the downshifting of the 18-wheelers that blow through at all hours of the day and night because the entire town is only two square miles. TWO. And a half. ...so the highway is always close-by. Except for the tornado siren that sounds Monday through Saturday at 7:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 6:00pm. But don't worry, if it's only one round, it just means farmer starting time, lunch time, back to work time, and quittin' time. Either that or the tornado took out the siren after the first round.
(Where's that wide-eyed Emoji when I need him?)
Okay, so it's not as quiet as you thought, but boy...you sure can see the stars out here in no man's land. Or you could if it wasn't for that street light that lights up the majority of your yard...and bedroom. At least we don't have to worry about installing floodlights.
You don't have to worry about your neighbors being all up in your armpits. ...just their three big dogs coming over and surrounding you as you take your dog out for a potty break ON THE LEASH. (Leash? Whut's that? Mah cuzzin's nayme's Aleeshuh, but we caller 'Leesh. That whut ya mean?) Sigh....but it's okay. "Just stand still" and the German Shepherd licking his chops won't hurt you. Um, what? Oh, okay. That's comforting. Thanks.
Or one of twelve neighbor cats curling up and napping on your deck...but I'm sure they're all fixed.
So, tell me, what is there to love about small towns?
Is it the neighbor across the street whose dog you look out the window to find snarling and barking at your front door...at the ratty cat hiding on your doorstep. Yeah, that just happened. Can't wait until the cats and dogs start trying to mark our doors because they know there's a cat and a dog inside.
Maybe it's that clean, country fresh air...or the putrid smell of dead hogs and their feces.
As I was wondering and wandering yesterday, I started thinking about how much I miss and love Virginia Beach. I wondered how on earth people actually ended up in towns like these. Did they actually choose to move here of their own accord? Why? Why would anyone in their right mind choose this place? Everything about it is old, bleak, depressing. Take a walk "downtown". Now I have to go back down there today to get pictures documenting all of this so that you can see for yourself. I'm not lying.
FOR SALE
FOR RENT
SPACE AVAILABLE
BARBER SHOP "Walk-ins Welcome"...but not really. (More on that later)
FOR SALE
KEEP OUT: ASBESTOS! CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD!
SPACE AVAILABLE
CARPET, FURNITURE, AND MORE (Too bad no one came over to greet me; I had money to spend in there!)
FOR SALE
A tiny grocery store (in which I question the temperature of the refrigerators...maybe it's just my years in the restaurant biz, but those refrigerators seemed to struggle)
Two bars, one of which is for sale
Signs that appear to be original to the establishments
So, how and why does one choose a place like this to be called home? What do people love about this town that makes them stay permanently? I know that if I was calling the shots, this would be one of the last places I'd call home. What is the allure of small-town life?
It's quiet. Well, except for the trains that blast through your backyard. Except for the downshifting of the 18-wheelers that blow through at all hours of the day and night because the entire town is only two square miles. TWO. And a half. ...so the highway is always close-by. Except for the tornado siren that sounds Monday through Saturday at 7:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 6:00pm. But don't worry, if it's only one round, it just means farmer starting time, lunch time, back to work time, and quittin' time. Either that or the tornado took out the siren after the first round.
(Where's that wide-eyed Emoji when I need him?)
Okay, so it's not as quiet as you thought, but boy...you sure can see the stars out here in no man's land. Or you could if it wasn't for that street light that lights up the majority of your yard...and bedroom. At least we don't have to worry about installing floodlights.
You don't have to worry about your neighbors being all up in your armpits. ...just their three big dogs coming over and surrounding you as you take your dog out for a potty break ON THE LEASH. (Leash? Whut's that? Mah cuzzin's nayme's Aleeshuh, but we caller 'Leesh. That whut ya mean?) Sigh....but it's okay. "Just stand still" and the German Shepherd licking his chops won't hurt you. Um, what? Oh, okay. That's comforting. Thanks.
Or one of twelve neighbor cats curling up and napping on your deck...but I'm sure they're all fixed.
So, tell me, what is there to love about small towns?
Is it the neighbor across the street whose dog you look out the window to find snarling and barking at your front door...at the ratty cat hiding on your doorstep. Yeah, that just happened. Can't wait until the cats and dogs start trying to mark our doors because they know there's a cat and a dog inside.
Maybe it's that clean, country fresh air...or the putrid smell of dead hogs and their feces.