It would be very easy for me to leave the city and head back to the country. It really would. I love a lot of things about living in the country. I love the quiet and the space. I’m still slightly freaked out by the amount of people who walk past my house each day and gaze into my yard – or windows (we don’t have a fence). In fact, I was so bothered by the idea of being on display that I was ready, as I said in my last post, to give up my third of an acre in downtown De Pere, and head for the hills.
But then I really thought about what that would entail. First, my kids really like it here. They ride their bikes on trails and paths and sidewalks (something they could never really do in Vermont). They walk to the library on a whim – and I don’t have to gather everyone up and put them in the car and drive 30 miles to a library that has more than 12 books. If I need a gallon of milk – or a package of marshmallows for Rice Krispie treats, there is usually a kid nearby willing to take a bike to the store and get it for me – or they’re willing to take a walk with me to go and get it. Except for large trips to the store and field trip days, we rarely use our car.
I used to feel stranded without my car. Now I feel liberated to not need it. My oldest daughter (my only schooled child) takes the city bus to high school in Green Bay and has learned the public transportation system inside and out. She’ll get her license soon, but probably not a car, as she knows the expense involved.
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