I live in the sticks in northern Indiana. My little town has a population of about 900 people, most of which are amish. Our little hamlet is very rural, but we do happen to have two liquor stores, a bar, and a VFW, all within the same block. I'm not sure what that says about my sleepy little whistle-stop? I am creating another list tonight, but it is all about why I love my dinky but lively little town.
1. The hand made, hand painted sign, nailed to the telephone pole as you come into town that says, "Welcome to Millersburg, where your business is everybody's business." I would love to know the story behind that sign. I am actually surprised that I don't know the story behind that sign.
2. I dodge chickens, horse poo, and amish buggies on my way to work. Once I had to stop in the middle of the road in order to let six, giant, amish work horses rush past my car. One horse got so close it brushed my side mirror. Tatum still talks about it.
3. Stickler's Auto Shop. Reminds me of Kooter from the Dukes of Hazard.
4. The town's barber shop is also a tattoo parlor. Cut and ink for one low price.
5. I once followed a red pick up truck with two amish men and a cow in the back. The men were feeding the cow with a giant baby bottle. Got milk?
6. No matter when you go to the one gas station, you are guaranteed to run into someone you know. It is inevitable, no matter how bad you look, or whether you have morning breath while grabbing that 7:00 am on a Saturday morning jug of milk, you will see your neighbor.
7. Speaking of the gas station, it is the town's only conveiniance store. Which means the prices are incredibly expensive. We had to mortgage our house for milk, bread, and eggs one morning.
8. Our neighbor plows our driveway in the winter.
9. We have well water and a septic tank. Enough said.
10. We have so many fantastic, do anything to help, always ready for fun, friends! This tiny town may be out of the way and a little eclectic, but you can't beat the kind of people who make this town great.
I'm imagining that little Amish community from the movie Witness.
ReplyDeleteI also live in a little town where horses are the norm. Nearly every student at my school has a horse or access to a horse.
I grew up in a small town, complete with our own town drunk, kinda like Otis on Mayberry. I love your list of small-town wonders. Especially the "hand made, hand painted signs". Thanks for reminding me of my own small home town.
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