#1) I forgot how inexpensive things are here. I am so used to having to make stop at my local general store (because I didn’t want to drive 45 miles to the closest grocery store) and spending $5 or $6 on the tiny can of coffee. I love that I can stop at any one of five or six stores and grab milk and coffee and spend less than $5 for both! In Vermont, that little jaunt would have easily cost me $10 or more!
#2) My floors are staying reasonable clean even in the middle of winter! No more trucking in sand/snow/slush from the 400 trips to the woodpile! Not to mention the trips up from the driveway (that used to be 100 yards away from the house).
#3) I love that I can walk places – like the park, and the store and the library, and to the kids’ schools (yes, they’re going to school now – more on that later). I still have my truck, but I can exercise my right to be really green and ride a bike or walk! I could have done this in Vermont, I suppose…but the mountain I had to climb to get home was amazingly steep and a heck of a climb with kids in strollers or wagons!
#4) It only took me 20 minutes to clear the snow from the driveway, walkways and sidewalk – and I didn’t have to hire anyone to help (I used to spend $35 per plow in Vermont)!
#5) OK – I have to put it on this list – the pizza. I’m sorry, but I’ve been aching for delivered pizza once in a while for years…I love my own pizza best of course – and it is the most frugal and yummy option – but how nice to be able to take a night off once in a while! Don’t worry y’all – I still have my crockpot and use it!
Cara says:
I love your blogs, and your story. I am glad to have left Green Bay, but I can remember most of it fondly. Love your organic, environmental theme. I’ve just started my Christmas project for next year…everyone on my gift lists gets 4 personality-themed cloth grocery bags. I always do something homemade…if we mothers don’t teach our children the value of sharing our gifts and talents…who will! Like you…I prefer more than one “career”, however I haven’t been as SUCCESSFUL as you in my dabbling. I’m happy to say that music, writing, art, sewing, crafts, and just plain office work talent have all combined to keep me afloat through the years. I’ll look forward to your future blogs.
14th January 2009 at 12:37 pm
Mish says:
Thank you Cara! You’re so kind to write – although I must say that reading your blog, it sounds to me like you’re quite successful yourself! I’ll have to live vicariously through you – as I can’t remember what summer is just now:-)
14th January 2009 at 12:48 pm
CAthy says:
Welcome back to WI…. we planned an arctic cold snap for your homecoming…
and yes, I agree, I think it is winter blahs. This one has been a doozy.
I think you can be a “writer” without being a WRITER, you know? Yes, write when your heart requires, and share what needs to be spread out. But your book about living homeless touched so many people, you know?
Whatever it is, whatever you want to do, remember you’ve done enough, as long as you live in the moment.
If it makes your city life feel any more luxurious, I ripped a pair of cloth gloves on one of the -17 mornings. I was carrying the mandatory 20 gallons of hot water from our tub (the chickens and goats need HOT water in this weather, and it freezes slower) and by the time I reached our little barn, the fingers had frozen to the bucket handle from the rising vapor and ripped when I tried to put the bucket down.
Makes 0 F look balmy.
14th January 2009 at 7:12 pm