I’m a country girl. I grew up on a 90 acre farm in Western Michigan. It’s 5 miles to the smaller town, 10 miles to the bigger town, and 25 to Kalamazoo (a “real” city). I had horses and cows and chickens and dogs and cats and LAND. Lots of land – with trees and a creek. I love this farm. When people ask about home – that’s mine. It’s all about the land that is there. I’ve lived in different places and have enjoyed my adventures, but the true “home” is tied to the land.
Now, I live in the city, which is a great adventure. I love my membership at the Adler. I love to be able to visit the city and see the plays and walk to a movie theater. I love public transportation (and it drives me nuts that CTA and Chicago can’t figure out how to increase the usage of trains and buses). I wish that I could convince everyone to use it – and demand that more lines are built and services are increased.
Living in the city has some interesting challenges for me. There are people and buildings and buildings and people. 4 trees and very little empty land. Luckily, I have a big yard, which I appreciate every day. But no horse. The yard is almost big enough to keep a horse, but I’m pretty sure that the Evanston authorities would not appreciate me keeping one there.
And then there was the other night at 5 am with someone walking by and yelling. So much for a full night’s sleep.
Posted by Heather Voss at May 9, 2005 04:15 PM