[Chena]

Perhaps you are right, JeffAtlanta. :) Every relative we have lives in a "suburb" located near some major city. Maybe what my problem is (if it IS a problem) is that their lives evolve around city life. They hustle and bustle, their children hustle and bustle, and no one seems to even notice. sigh All they talk about is what they "bought", what movie they just saw, the latest and newest "techno" improvements to their homes and security systems, and the latest crimes in their area.

Sometimes I truly feel as if I do live in a different world. But yet, I also believe that "whatever floats your boat" is fine by me. I can't be you, and you can't be me. I just wish sometimes, with the world in such chaos, that if people would just slow down, stop for a moment and as lame as it sounds, "smell the flowers", we'd all be better off, and our children would surely be better off. :)

[durasell]

You should try NYC. We're all shy, retiring homebodies here. Very quiet and not much to do.

[JeffAtlanta]

ometimes I truly feel as if I do live in a different world. But yet, I also believe that "whatever floats your boat" is fine by me.

I can agree with your post and I know where you are coming from. The life that you have would be a dream life to many but to others it would grow old - to each their own.

I do think that the crime problems for all of the major cities have been overstated in this thread. Major cities don't have a "safe zone" and if you leave that area then you are in trouble. The reverse is much more accurate - most of the areas of a major city are very safe but you just need to steer clear of the bad areas. That isn't hard or an inconvenience since the bad areas don't usually have anything most people would want anyway.

[Smokin' Joe]

I just wish sometimes, with the world in such chaos, that if people would just slow down, stop for a moment and as lame as it sounds, "smell the flowers", we'd all be better off, and our children would surely be better off. :)

Yep, you 'get' it!

[oceanperch]

Blackberries are ripe now in my rural peaceful home.

Great for the New York Steak Demi Glace

Dressing for goat cheese, pecan leafy green salad

or

on top of the whole wheat english muffin with cream cheese.

We live out a few miles (in an unpopulated area mainly because of terrain and lack of water for homes to build) from the closest town which Newport and Newport is the Beach Town 90 min West of Corvallis which is Number 10 on the list.

I like you love my quiet forrest/bay lifestyle.

Nothing beats bunnies, deer, birds ect. and the not living by a clock.

Where the word "need" is not used often. And time is not what is on the wall.