Country Living For Me

I love living in a rural location. Too many years of my life were spent living in, visiting or shopping in cities. I have been in many of the biggest cities. So it is not like I have never been in one or didn't know how to get around in one. I did. And I do. My life though, living in a state forest has been the absolutely best of all of my life. I love the forest and everything about living in it.

It is not that I don't like people or neighbors. I do. Just not right next door. No problems here with anyone in all the years we have lived here. We are by ourselves most of the time and enjoy the solitude of the forest. For some people, that is not always the best thing. I know for my son, he goes back and forth a lot. He will get where he has to move back into the city, for he misses people. He doesn't talk to anyone unless it on the computer or his cellphone while he is here. For my husband and myself, it has never been a problem.

Our area is surrounded by state forest land. The Fingerlakes Trail runs in front and behind our house. The Ludlow Creek is a peaceful little creek that runs along it. When it rains a lot you can hear the creek running. I love the sound of it. It never goes dry, even in a drought it keeps running. You can swim in it or fish in it. The natural world is less stressful and healthier to spend your daily life in.

Living in a rural location, we are able to have horses. It is very peaceful for these girls. Nobody bothers them and they live their life feeling safe and cared for. The only excitement they have is when the hunters come out in hunting season. Occasionally we hear coon hounds at night when the hunters are hunting at night. For the most part though, it is peaceful and safe. Having horses is like having big watch dogs. They are very alert to anything going on in the forest around us.

If you are a person who likes living in a city, that is good. Nothing wrong with that. It is a good thing that there are some people who want to live in the city. Or the country would be way to crowded, and not country at all. Enjoy whatever you prefer. Life is too short to spend it where you do not want to be. Choose what makes you happy. I did.

Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2012  Kathleen G. Lupole

Visiting In The City

Riverside Drive in Johnson City, NY

Yesterday, my husband and I went to visit my father-in-law. He lives in Johnson City, NY, which is about 35 miles away from us. For us, it is always like traveling to another world. As far as cities go, Johnson City is not a really big city. When you live where we do, any city seems congested! I look at all those house squashed together and can't imagine that. Most of the houses I have lived in that were in cities were never in areas like this. I don't think I have ever lived in a house that had neighbors behind my house. I would not like that all.

Lupole's house

My in-laws came from living in the country to buying this house, when all but one of their children had left home for lives of their own. My brother-in-law, who is the oldest, never left home. Not ever. He is still there. Now it is good that he is with his father, who at 91 years old, is losing his hearing and eyesight.

An EJ house built by Endicott Johnson Corp. for the workers!

The ramp you can see on the front of the house was built for my mother-in-law when she had to have her legs removed and was resigned to a wheelchair. She loved this house and the neighborhood. She was a real "people person," and the busy bustle of the street they lived on just added to her love of the area. To think she was from the country! I guess it proves that not all country born people want to stay there.

Brother-in-law's truck

You can see how close the houses are. From the kitchen window in their house you can see directly into the dining room of the house next door! So if you are standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes, you can't help but see what the people next door are doing in their own house. I just could never live this way myself.

An easy yard to mow! So tiny!

We had many outside family get togethers in their backyard. The fireplace was built by my husband and his son, Jeffrey. The yard didn't seem so small until they fenced it in. They had neighbors buy the house next door some years back and then had trouble with them. So they had to fence it in and then I realized how tiny it really was.

Our road in front of our house!

We were happy to get back home to our dirt road, trees and quiet, except for hearing the birds singing their evening song. Such a contrast from one house to another! I really appreciate our home once I have been to the city.

Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole