For the past 10 years, my hometown has been a quiet farm town tucked away in the southeastern corner of Connecticut. For my friends who have lived in urban areas all of their lives, here are some basic laws that govern the way of life in the countryside.
1. You drive everywhere.
The closest grocery store is probably fifteen minutes away because there are few, if any, businesses in your town. You are forever thankful for online shopping, because a trip to the mall is more like an expedition.
2. Country fairs mean any type of competition you could imagine.
Think of an outdoor hodgepodge display of everything you could grow or create from the fluffiest bunnies to the biggest squash you will ever see.
3. People do have pigs as pets.
And pigs do run away like any other pet (I have seen "Lost Pig" signs before).
4. A yard less than an acre seems tiny to you.
In my town, there is a law that requires anyone building a house to have a plot of land that is at least an acre in size.
5. Your nose will become attuned to some pretty pungent smells.
Spring means planting. Planting means fertilizer. And fertilizer means the worst type of all: chicken manure.
6. The major traffic intersection in your town is a four-way stop.
Gravel roads do not faze you. Curvy, hilly roads become so familiar to you that you can drive them without hitting the brakes. But, city driving gives you anxiety.
7. The population of your town is small, maybe even smaller than that of the livestock population.
Supposedly, there are approximately 2 million chickens in my town and only about 7,300 people.
8. Some families have lived there for generations and show no signs of pulling up roots.
It is not uncommon to see cousins in the same classes. There are even families that have lived in the same area for so long that the streets are named after them.
Even though I can't see myself as a true country girl, I have grown to appreciate the quiet, small, and connected community that a cowtown can give.
