The Atlanta newspaper reports that our county is one of the top 10 counties in the nation for overall population growth.  This is not new, but now this county (pop. 757,104) has more people than all of Alaska (670,053), Vermont (623,908), North Dakota (635,867), Wyoming (515,004), or the District of Columbia (581,530).  In the last six years, we've ADDED more than 168,000 residents, which is 40,000 more than the population of Savannnah.  We had well over 13,000 births last year, and less than 3000 deaths. 

What's more, our local high school teaches 3,551 students.  That's bigger than the enrollment at 12 of GA's public four-year colleges.  No wonder it's a little difficult to drive past the school when classes are letting out in the afternoon.  I should remember that when driving down to the park to pick someone up from (homeschool) baseball practice.  There's an elementary school near here with an enrollment of 2008 students.  More amazing numbers:  the county school system employs more than 27,000 people, making it the largest employer in metro Atlanta.  The school system's annual budget is $1.4 billion.  That's bigger than the budget of at least 102 foreign countries!

Someday, I am moving a place where I can have some space around me.  Some woods and maybe a pond.  When I go out to get my newspaper or mail, I will not be seen by dozens of people who have a clear view of my driveway from their windows and driveways.  I will plant tomatoes in my back yard, where nobody will be able to see me from their decks.  My mailbox will not be the same as everyone else's in the neighborhood, and I will paint my shutters whatever color I want.  My grandchildren will come to visit me, and we will not have to worry about a kickball or a frisbee going into the neighbor's yard.  There will be butterflies, birds, and bunnies... tadpoles, turtles, and toads to watch.  I will have a screened-in porch where I can sit under my overhead fan with my book and escape from the mosquitos. 

Of course, that will be when dh is no longer tied to his commute into the city.  In the meantime, we will put up with the traffic and make the best of it!