Perspective

One of the great things about this country is that our collective way of life isn't one single way of life at all, but rather a vast collage of diverse landscapes for all kinds of people. What people in one area of the country may take for granted, others may be desperate for. Some look out a window and see green meadows. Some look out a window and see paved streets and sidewalks. Others still look out and see tall, brick buildings with rows of glass paned windows that the occupants within see the rest of the world through.

When I rise in the morning I descend down a flight of stairs that bring me to my living room, where I pause to look outside to see what the weather might hold for the day. I see houses across the street. Some have porches, some not, and most have flowers or shrubs in front to greet neighbors and passersby. My village is small, with a population of just over 2,000 residents. It's quiet, quaint and friendly, and I really like living here. That's my choice, and my privilege.

I like that it has the necessities such as a bank, post office, small grocery store and a few shops. I like that it's small enough to walk from end to end and everything in between, and that I feel safe doing so. In the center of town there is a park and tennis courts for recreation. There is also a stream with small waterfalls that has sidewalks alongside it. Just outside town there are farms that grow crops and pastures where dairy cows graze.

A short drive away lies a city of 225,000 people with all the restaurants, stores and recreation I could want. All kinds of cuisines are available in all price ranges to please most any palate, and cultural events abound. I'm also in the heart of the Finger Lakes so there are an abundance of outdoor activities to keep me busy, and the many area wineries aren't hard to take either!

Some people choose to live differently however. Sitting here in south central Florida while visiting a dear friend who happens to live on an orange grove and ranch, I can't help but be aware of how much bearing the weather can have on one's livelihood. Here they have had a very dry spring this year, which means the sprinkler systems have to be run in the groves, and that costs money, which cuts into profits. There was also a frost last winter, which can cut yields and affect the quality of the fruit, or destroy the crop altogether. The ponds that the livestock drink from dry up too.

Life is very different here than at home, the weather notwithstanding. Even a small store is 30 minutes away so you don't want to run out of anything important, unless of course you have plenty of gas in your vehicle and more than a few minutes to get there, get what you need and get back home. My friend not only lives on a dirt road, but the next road is dirt too. You have to go two roads over to see pavement. Not my cup of tea, but visiting is always an adventure and a refreshing change of pace.

It's beautiful too. And you seldom hear a sound around here, from neighbors that is. Because there are no neighbors. You can sleep peacefully at night and enjoy the scenery during the day. I tell my friend often that this is like "another world." It really is like another world. One where land isn't spoiled by "progress" and fences are there to keep the animals in, not keep intruders out. One where respect for people and property still exists. And I really like it here too.