Since laughter really is the best medicine, I have to include some “just for fun” posts. No vibrant life is complete without a healthy does of laughter. It is one of the things I love about my Country Boy. We LOVE to laugh together. And as a city girl transported to the country, there is typically lots to laugh about at my expense! So if you ever wondered about life in the country here are some signs you live in the country.
Signs You Live in the Country
You see a tractor parked at the local McDonald’s.
When I saw this tractor parked in the premium spots at the local McDonald’s I first thought, “What in the world! Who has the gall to park a TRACTOR practically in the front entrance? And they took up two whole spots.” A few seconds later, I realized who, as I slunk into the restaurant to sit across the booth from my Country Boy. He was chatting with some farmers about his new tractor.
You receive wedding invitations with the reply, “Yes, we will attend if it rains.”
What the heck? I couldn’t figure this one out when we started receiving replies to our wedding invitations, such as this one. Apparently, this is farmer talk for, “If the weather is yuck and we can’t be in the fields planting, we will be sure to be at your wedding.” Hmmm?! And the horrible tragedy of my life is that I have replied this way sometimes, per my Country Boy’s instructions! Oh, well…country living.
Everyone gives direction by referencing old businesses
Now, I don’t mean like the business just closed. I’m talking about businesses that have been gone years. And yet I , newly arrived in town, was supposed to know where the place was.
When I first moved to this small town, everyone kept talking about Kmart. As in, “It’s out by the old Kmart.” I finally asked one day how long Kmart had been gone. Silly me, I was expecting Kmart had just moved the year before. No, Kmart had closed 20 years prior!
I thought, ” If one more person talks to me about the old Kmart I’m going to choke!” And then I learned that the agency where I recently started working had just purchased the old Kmart building. I would soon be working there!! Arrgghhh! Funny one, God! Imagine my joy in daily repeating over the phone, “Yes, we are in the old Kmart building.”
A Traffic Jam Consists of 8 Vehicles
Come spring and fall expect to get stuck in a traffic jam. Farming equipment has to be moved for planting and harvesting. It is definitely one of the signs of living in the country. So around those times you will get stuck in a traffic jam. It is typically only 8 vehicles deep, but you can anticipate moving very slowly if you are caught behind a big combine.
For the most part everyone is good-natured about it. It is always a nice feeling to see the fields being planted and the crops harvested. We all know that it is good news. Good news for us and for our neighbors. It means another successful year farming
Men Stand Around Talking About the Weather
Farmers really do stand around talking about the weather! It’s not just a cliche. When you live in the country you truly understand the importance of the weather. It can make a huge difference to the crop growth if it rains too much or too little or if it’s too hot or too cold. You see fields that don’t get planted because of standing water. And you see the beautiful sight of corn tall and swaying in the breeze when the weather is just right.
You See Everyone You Know at the Store
I grew up in a big city. And we never saw anyone we knew when we went to the store. Around here you need to anticipate seeing lots of people you know ( make sure you look semi decent before you head out the door). In fact you have to add it into your typical shopping time as in, “OK, I have to run into Walmart. I only have to pick up 5 items, plus talk to all the people I run into so I figure I’ll be gone an hour.”
And heaven help you if you work in town. I will see clients I taught in the local court classes. They always wave at me, “Hey, Miss Miranda!!” I try to make my classes interesting, but maybe I overdid it?
Living in the country is wonderful. And it is a great place to raise a family. So I’m truly thankful for my country neighbors. Even if I don’t always understand all the local customs.
So where did you grow up? Are you happily still living there or do you live someplace far away now?
Are you struggling to find contentment where you are in life right now? Check out my post on blooming where you are planted.
Oh my goodness, Miranda! This gave me a good laugh, which is exactly what was needed today! I’d never heard of the wedding invitations one, but so many people have given us, as fairly new transplants to this small town, directions just as you stated. I believe one of them has been you;) Love living here and all the unique country ways!
What! I gave you “country directions”? I may have been here longer that I thought! Ha!:)
If you’ve never seen a tractor parked at McDonald’s you might not be from around here.
I love this. I grew up in the country and still live there (though maybe not quite as far in the country as you!) I love country life and unfortunately, the towns around us keep moving closer to us.
Thanks Julie! Yes, my hubby says things have certainly changed in our town since he was a kid.
Yes I love living in the country. It is where I have been most of my life (and that is a lot of years) And yes KMart and Bob & Carl’s (old/new) are all reference points when giving directions. Enjoying the fresh air (except after the hog barns are cleaned) the smell of just cut hay fields, and of course the birth of the calfs, sheep, goats and the others makes country living grand!
I am super thankful to have raised my kids in such a great place!
Absolutely love living out in the country! Wouldn’t have it any other way. As a matter of fact, I was raised on a farm in Iowa and have memories of all the adventures I had roaming the fields. I’m familiar with the slow traffic, but must admit, I’ve never scène a tractor at McDonalds! Good read Miranda! You made me smile!
I had never seen a tractor at McDonald’s either til my husband decided to park it there! Ha! Growing up in Iowa must have been lovely! Glad you enjoyed the post:)