A Strange New World

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Perks to living on our hill in the country included the freedom to step out my back door and yodel to the trees when I wanted to. We had no neighbors. Now I live in town and I have neighbors. The goats didn’t mind what I did as long as they had something to chew. But now I live in town. A strange new world.

My first few nights here I needed to keep the bathroom fan running to muffle the town noise. My eyes would pop open wondering if what I’d heard was an airplane or a car rushing down the street. No, it was only the furnace. I would drift to sleep thinking about our old woodstove and the chickens and goats I gave away and my red Bartlett pear tree that I wouldn’t have pears from anymore.

I would leave the house and then return, and it was like walking into a hotel room. It’s very nice and I was happy to be here, but it wasn’t home yet.

I had only been here a few days when someone came up to my door and knocked enthusiastically. Wow, that was different! When I opened it up it was a dear friend of many years who was out taking a walk and heard I was moved in! How delightful! Her greeting was sweet and quick, and then she was off. I could get used to this, I thought.

I finished my work late tonight. My husband is sleeping sweetly in the next room. We had our first dinner guest this week, my daughter! My son dropped by in the middle of the day to borrow a tool. I attended my newest grandchild’s baby shower last night with dozens of ladies I enjoy being with. And I live close to my church and other interesting places.

Okay, I have to say that I don’t miss the chickens that much. This is home!

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