Good Old Country Living

It’s no place on the face of this earth like home. If you reside somewhere other than your birthplace, you really do feel the loneliness and try to make the best out of a good situation. However, I try to be optimistic: because whatever city or country that you're calling home has to be where you have subconsciously decided to bunk out for a while. I've been away from home for over a decade; and I go back there, from time to time. You see, there is nothing like home and zilch can replace it. Home is where life initiated (roots) and where the foundation is poured. I truly miss waking up to the sound of the rooster’s cockadoodling. Nevertheless, I knew that morning had arrived and this was my daily wake-up call (6:45 a.m.). It was time to get up and start your day- whether it was to get ready for school or to pick peas, squash, corn, or turnip greens out of granddaddy’s garden. I loved the summer because we were out of school: but I often dreaded it because mom made us shell peas. I hated shelling peas. Sometimes, we would shell peas for days or weeks. In addition, we were required to place the goods in zip lock bags but despite the hard work, it was good old country living. What I miss the most about home include the following; large shade trees, open land, dirt roads, muddy trucks, cowboy boots and hats, and old country music (HEE-HAW!). I loved the fact that our neighbors were not under our noses. They lived down the street or over yonder. Wow! I haven't used the word over yonder in a long time. Subsequently, I've lived in the city for the past fourteen years and the houses are so close together- that if you passed gas, someone would surely hear or smell it. Country people live on acres, farms, and ranches. This was enough space to breathe and raise their young-lings. The neighbors were really genuine. They raised each other’s children without recourse. If you needed flour, sugar, coffee etc., you just walked down” yonder” and knocked on your neighbors' door and asked for whatever you needed. You were not required to pay it back because if they were out of something, then the process was reciprocated. The main purpose of bartering was to keep you from walking a country mile.

At home, I can let my hair down and enjoy the fresh air, as well as, the fresh chicken eggs: chickens are running all over the place and cows are mooing for their offsprings. The country is quite and serene. On the other hand, the city is noisy, busy,and hectic. I have to be uptight and proper. So, I put on my proper and uppity citified act. In the country, I , finally, get to be me. Everyone is friendly and courteous to one another. People speak and wave to people they don't know. Why? It's just plain old country etiquette. In contrasting, people in the city seem to be a bit uptight and discourteous. Finally, the city has been great and I have truly enjoyed its fine living: but there is no place like home.