I grew up in a town of 600 people. And no stop lights. And only one of each business (ie, lumber yard, drug store, grocery store, hair salon... except that it had three bars-- oh, and four churches!)
And this is typical of small towns in Nebraska. My husband grew up in an even smaller town. (But they still had two bars. Right next to each other. And both did (still do) a great business. And three churches... I figure we're good as long as churches outnumber bars, right?).
But I digress... I love small towns and I write about them a lot. Only two of my currently published books are set in small towns (Just My Type and Anything You Want) but all of my most recent and current projects are.
I love small towns. I live in one now. It's twice the size of my hometown :) but I'm sure it still qualifies as small on pretty much anyone's scale. (and, yes, it has two bars-- 'cuz I know you were wondering).
I especially love summer in small towns. The kids outside playing back and forth between th
e connected yards, baseball games where all the kids in my son's class play on the same team, grilling out with our friends, margaritas on the deck with our neighbors (in spite of having more than enough bars), and, above all else, the annual town festival...
e connected yards, baseball games where all the kids in my son's class play on the same team, grilling out with our friends, margaritas on the deck with our neighbors (in spite of having more than enough bars), and, above all else, the annual town festival...Ah, I'm so ready for summer to really start! My kids are out of school *today*-- so now it will be "official" for us! *G*
So what are some of your favorite summer activities or memories? Who here is also from a small town (now or in the past)? What do you love (or hate) about small town living? :)
And recently I wrote a short story that I based in a small Nebraska town and included a town festival (imagine that!). You can check it out here!
And recently I wrote a short story that I based in a small Nebraska town and included a town festival (imagine that!). You can check it out here!
Happy summer everyone!
Erin
I am officially in love with your small towns, Erin. But you already knew that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've only lived in one small (smallish?) town: Paso Robles. I'm not sure how many bars it has (okay, more than two--I am sure of that, having been to at least that many!) but it also has about 60 wineries.
Aw, thanks, PG. Yeah, wineries are not something you'll find in midwestern small towns! We have a lot of *gasp* boxes of wine though! *G*
ReplyDeleteErin
I've lived in the city and small towns and by far I love my small town life. AS a kid I hated it but now I appreciate it :)
ReplyDeletemy little town does summer markets and lots of community events (movies, games, crafts, and stargazing) that are lots of fun and i try to take the nieces and nephews at least once a week to an event.