Where do you live?

Where do you live? More specifically, do you like it and how does it affect you? These are the questions Laura Tremaine asks on the most recent episode of her podcast, 10 Things to Tell You. #10thingstotellyou.

I’m a Texan, born and raised. I have lived in almost every region of this great state. I grew up on the coast in South Texas, loving the sun, sand and surf and the smell of salt in the air. I lived in San Antonio, home to the Alamo and the Riverwalk. I went to college in West Texas where I encountered dust storms, tumbleweeds the size of my car (I’m not exaggerating!) and the need for a real winter coat. I am not a fan of the cold but I thought it was pretty cool walking to class through the snow. After a couple more years back in San Antonio, I moved to Houston. There I lived both in burbs and in the big city, less than 10 minutes from downtown and just over a mile from Ikea (lots of shopping happened there!). I spent several years in Houston with it’s 2.3 million people and somehow ended up in a rural East Texas town with a population around 300. I’m pretty sure there are more cows than people here!

Do I like it? I do. I prefer living in small town Texas with the big city only an hour away instead of living in the city with the big country only an hour away.

Here are 10 reasons I treasure this little town and how it affects me.

1. Its s..l..o..w and therefore, makes me move slower and appreciate the passing of time more.

2. Lots of nature and very little traffic. On my 20 minute commute to work, I drive along a tree-lined highway and to the school parking lot without a single traffic light. Nope, not even one.

3. There are not a lot of places to shop (unless you are a huge fan of Wal-Mart or Lowes) and therefore, not a lot of impulse purchases. Um…I take that back, we have bought a couple of horses and cows that were not on the “list.”

4. Wide open spaces. My son has tons of space to run and play, which he prefers to screen time. We have even had a dump truck (our neighbor has one) drop a load of sand behind the house for a huge play area.

5. People look out for one another and that makes me feel safe. That and husband and my dogs.

6. People don’t seem to be concerned about trying to impress one another. I can be myself.

7. Surprisingly, there are a lot of talented artisans and craftsman in one small area. After Hurricane Harvey, our neighbor started from scratch and built a brand new house. Down the road is a bee farm with fresh honey. One of the music teachers makes quilts and jam and I am able to purchase pottery or jewelry from the actual hands that made it and when I do, there is always time to chat.

8. Community. I have found that for a small town there seems to be a lot to do. There is always an event or activity going on somewhere and at the annual Chrismas parade, there is always a front row seat! Speaking of community, as I write there are 3 kids running around in the yard, 2 high school kids getting paid to paint our fence and a neighbor talking to my husband on the front porch. People actually stop and talk to each other.

9. People are always willing to help. Whether it’s a natural disaster or someone adopting a child, people come together to meet the needs of the community.

10. Its home. The affection I have for my little town didn’t happen overnight. Initially, there was the culture shock and I did not think I would make it. Everything was so far away and I didn’t know anyone. In fact, when I got pregnant, I kinda freaked out about having a baby out in the sticks so we moved back to the burbs. However, before my son was 2 we were yearing for those wide open spaces and moved back. I don’t regret it one bit.

I would love to know where you live, if you like it and how it affects you. Please share!

Until next time…….be well.


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