Yup, we have now lived in the country 8 months, and I figured it was time to write a sequel to my 12 Things I've Learned About the Country post I wrote last Summer. Check out my original post. since I still haven't figured out how to create links, copy and past below.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CountryMomof4/152245/12+Things+I%26%2339%3Bve+Learned+About+the+Country+Goodbye++McMansion.html

  1. When it snows, country roads are not high priority for the road crew. I guess they figure farmers all have big manly farm trucks, and the city girl with her 2 wheel drive mini van can just be snowed in. Nothing like a week STUCK in the house with 4 kids to make a girl go a bit postal. I started making up songs about my kids, then my cats, then I started prank calling my husband at work.

 2.Deer are EVIL. I've mentioned before that they ate my garden. Now they hang around my house, looking in with their beady little dear eyes, plotting their attack. Or they wait in the road for me when I'm in a hurry and just STAND there. One even flipped it's little hoof at me, I swear, it did.

 3.Delivery men hate me. 20 miles out of town, on icy roads.. plus I'm a homeschooler, which means by nature I must order lots of books online.

 4.In the dark, the Country is really dark, and really scary! I went out to grab the paper about 200 feet from the house, and I heard all sorts of freaky noises. I got that "something not human is watching me feeling" (probably that evil deer), anyway, I never quite made it to the paper box, and now if we don't remember to get the paper before dark... we don't get it. 

 5.It is Paradise. There is not a day when I don't thank God for blessing me with such beautiful surroundings (at least during daylight hours).

6. Farmers are friendly. They all wave when they drive by, and bring by snacks.. that always gets you bonus points.

7. You might not know everyone in the country, but everyone knows you. "behave yourself honey" a popular phrase uttered to me by my husband on a regular basis.

8.Country people really eat  "Country Meals". Let me just share with you the menu we had at our "farmer friends" one night. They made me up a plate FILLED with a whole chicken breast, a large steak, a baked potato. coleslaw, corn, jello salad, bread, AND potato salad. HELLO! Who really eats like this? Since I don't actually do farm work, I don't get rights to eat like a farmer.... but imagine the pressure when I have them over for dinner. "Um, would you like some stir fry?"

9.Cats love the abundance of small animals to hunt, and enjoy lining up their little heads on my front porch every morning. Ah... how sweet.

10. All your "town" friends complain about how long it takes to get to your house, but your country friends who live 20 miles away consider you neighbors.

11. The country is a great place to have huge New Years Eve party.

12. You can exercise like a lunatic in too tight spandex, and don't have to worry about your neighbors seeing you, but if you change in front of your window at night and think the random passing farm truck doesn't see you.... better think again.

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Jan. 14, 2007 - the caped homeschooler rides again

Posted by Fringey

I just starting blogging and surfing people's blogs-your caped homeschooler epiphany had me in stitches! Oh my my my- my older daughter used to go around perfectly dressed (read: normal) sporting a tiara! All the time, and occassionally up until the time she was 13 or 14! One of my friends just couldn't believe she had enough self confidance to do that. Hutzpah. Also, you live out there. I am on a small acre and find that hard enough to keep up with our chores and homeschooling and working parttime. Next year we are going to actually milk the dairy goats- been there done that as a kid- want the milk but not the effort I know it takes. Part of me hears my husband say he wants it but then I hear him say he wants to travel...he is a city boy and doesn't understand-milking animals tie you down. And where I live we are the exception, not the rule. Well, that will work out. Bet your kids are loving it though-especially the boys! Blessings

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Jan. 15, 2007 - chickens

Posted by Fringey

Hi- Thank you for your post. I loved the whold caped homeschooler because of how true it is! I told my friend and she had a good laugh also-you are spreading joy here in the southland! the chickens are my thing- my older dd hates the things although not the geese or ducks. My younger dd goes with the flow. I recommend any of the Storey publications on farm animals. Chickens need secure housing-first thing. Animals that are going to be eaten do NOT get names. Keep some for a laying flock and name those. Cuddle up with those. Ignore the others except to feed and water. McMurray Hatchery has a lot of info on their web and in their catalog. Maybe I will post more on my blog about chicken adventures. Have fun- learn lots! I love the reference in Psalms as to how God gathers us under his wings for protection and warmth. Blessings!

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Jan. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

I love your country meal comment. It's so true! But if you notice, the men seem skinny and the women are a bit more 'soft'. :)

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Jan. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by eyecorn

These are hysterical...and it's so true!! Everyone who comes to see us says, "I didn't realize it was this far out." Great observations :)

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Jan. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CTdittmar

I could so relate to all of these...big sigh...in our life before we moved. I hope we'll get to go back some day. Every day I would look out on our lovely farm fields surrounding and feel so blessed. Enjoy it all. Funny food comments too. "Umm...stir-fry?" Ha That would be me too!

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Jan. 18, 2007 - So so so so true!

Posted by AHappyHome

Oh man did I need the laughter! You are so right on with all that! Someone it's ok for US to make the drive into town, but if our townie friends can't see a Starbucks within half a block I think they begin to hyperventilate. Is your hubby surfing the web for tractor forums yet? LOL

Blessings,
Keri

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Jan. 19, 2007 - LOVED IT!!

Posted by ClagettsFLStyle

We lived in the country before moving to FL.. though we live on 2.5 acres now and some people call this country..

I miss some of the country livin arrangments... you could screem at the top of your lungs and no one could hear. You only heard birds in the morning.. no cars..

We lived back a gravel driveway that would totally ice up in the winter... I don't know how many times the UPS guy or my DH's tool delivery (he sells Snap On tools) guy got stuck and had to be wenched out. The wench/tow truck operater got to know us pretty well.

What a hoot.

Have a great weekend.

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Jan. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

how funny! i love it.
Good luck raising chickens. i recommend electric fence.
:) jen

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Jan. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by midwifemom

Hi, you're tagged.

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