I live in this tiny town in New Hampshire, population about 2000. It doesn’t feel too small to me since we’re at Proctor so much and it keeps us so busy. But when we have a break, I like the retreat of our small town. I always thought I’d live in the suburbs. But I live here: Next to cows.
And the big black horse…
Throw a couple lambs in for good measure please. They’re so cute your children will beg and beg until you almost give in. Must stay strong.
Today Earth Day turns 40. I don’t recall celebrating it much growing up, but it’s a big deal here. It’s grown on me. Because shouldn’t we all treat the earth well? Shouldn’t we all recycle? It’s gotten so easy to do I feel extremely guilty when I throw a plastic bottle in the trash. I’ve learned a lot by living in a small town where compost, eggs, and ‘ecological sustainability’ are frequent conversation pieces. Is it that way everywhere? I wouldn’t know! I like that we care. I’m 30 minutes away from a mall and 25 minutes away from my favorite grocery store and it’s okay. I think it’s good for us.
What I’d like even more is if you’d come live by me. We do need more children on the street. We could go for walks, talk about the earth, ponder compost together.
Here is Mr. Goody’s house. I don’t want him to move because he’s the best neighbor, but he keeps asking if we want to buy it. He’s getting older and has too much to take care of. Would you like 40 or so acres? Let me talk up this house! BIG family house where his 5 girls were raised. I wish we could buy it. Blueberry, raspberry bushes galore! Pear trees, garden space, a big huge barn that’s RED.
Mr. Goody isn’t selling quite yet but our other neighbors are. You could live practically across the street from us, right next to the donkeys! Your kids will be in heaven. Eeeee-haw. Here’s the link: HERE. Make an offer! I’ll babysit when you need your mall fix.
This book was featured in the above magazine and I’m dying to get my hands on it. The jacket cover says: If you ever considered quitting your job to plant tomatoes, read to a child, pursue creative work, can green beens and heal the planet, this is your book.
Are you intrigued? I laughed when I read it because is this that radical? What a cycle we’ve gone through. Women have so many many opportunities now – so thankful for that! But now it’s a “radical” thing to stay home?
The author, Shannon Hayes, felt that the common beliefs around the concept of ‘homemakers’ – that they were bored, depressed, unfulfilled and not contributing to society needed a facelift. Huh? Is that what society thinks of homemakers? Are these the Desperate Housewives? or those other reality shows about “housewives” that totally aren’t? Those aren’t the homemakers I saw growing up. Not even close.
I can easily go into a tailspin thinking about going back to work. How do I find a job (outside of working at my kid’s school) that allows me to be with them when they’re not in school? An 8-2:30 job with school vacations, summer breaks, and sick days? What if I didn’t go back to work. I could plant tomatoes, can, and raise goats. Hmmm. Full-time? I don’t know. But I do want to find a way to stay home and earn a little money. So I’ll find the book and read it. I’ll return and give the review.
Now I must say good-bye, feed the chickens, and eat some Friendly’s Forbidden Chocolate Ice-Cream. Because a happy Amy is a much better contributor to society.
Carry on earthlings…