Little Minds

[weeder]

My older son returned to New York this past June. He is getting his masters degree in education. He could have continued his education down here, in Virginia however he has been longing to return to New York, for the past 12 years.

He has loathed every moment of living here, since I relocated he and his brother 12 years ago.

Now that hes gone, he keeps trying to convince us all to go back also.

He loves the sights, the sounds and the excitement of city life.

Also the availabity of cultural entertainment, and the ethnic diversity,

I love those things also... Im just not willing to pay the price to have them,

and I am a nature lover.

Anyway, this son has a nine year old daughter. ( My grandaughter) A little southern belle, as her mom is from here ( Raised on a mountain)

John couldnt wait to get my grandaughter up to New York.

He would love her to go live with him,

This week he has taken her to see Young Frankenstein on Broadway.

They have gone to Cirque de Solei

They have been to Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, and The Bronx Zoo.

Hes taken her to a number of impressive department stores, and Im certain they have eaten in nice restaurants numerous times.

I have been curious about her reactions to the city, and Ive asked him a couple of times." John, what does Annaleese think of New York? " : She must be really amazed, its so exciting"

He says " Yeah, she likes it" But when he asks her " What do you think?"

She says. " I miss the mountains daddy, and the trees" " Its fun here, but I miss the mountains, and the trees"

So simple. Such a simple reaction to everything that is going on around her.

For some reason, when I think of her little voice saying this, It chokes me up.

It chokes me up, because I find it incredulous that such a little person, who has not lived long. knows already, in her heart what she loves. I also didnt know that she even was so aware of her surroundings.

It is also interesting to note that ( as I have told my son many times before) it isnt necessary to provide an extravaganza of entertainment for children. They are content with so little. I feel like Ive discovered something that Annaleese and I have in common now. She is a little nature lover also.

If the world was to start over again tomorrow, we would be left with only our surroundings. People who need man made entertainment would feel bereft. But people who get up everday, and are entertained by the backdrop of the beautiful earth, wouldnt feel much of a difference.

Today its a beautiful day, here in Virginia. As I look out the windows of my " Tree House" apartment... I see The Blue Ridge Mountains on one side, and The Alleghany Mountains on the other. It is very quiet here. I can only hear birds chirping and singing. Tonite, people will dine in the few little restaurants in the town, or gather in the little town square where one lone musician may play the fiddle for them. The town will roll in by 9pm, and the only thing to look at, will be a million stars in the very black skyline, uncluttered by sky scrapers.

It does annoy me sometimes that our local supermarket doesnt have the Greek Yogurt that I love. But I can live with that.

When my grand daughter gets home on Monday, I think I will arrange a date to go on a hike into the mountains with her.

As for my son, I think Ive lost him. To the sights and sounds and the excitement of city life. I think we dont have as much in common as I thought we did. But then I had 43 years of all of the city, before I came here. Maybe he will absorb all that it has to offer, and someday, decide to come home.

He will be able to share with his daughter all of the culture, that is his upbringing. Broaden her mind about ethnic diversity. Encourage her to visit places outside of her realm of existence... and she can open his eyes to all of the wonderous things around her here.

Weeder

Reporting from Virginias beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

[Nomad]

Little Minds



Maybe some of us were just born that way and cant help it.

Whatever !

[Kathy Ellen]

Your writing and thoughts make me cry Weeder......thank you:-4



I've lived in a big city almost all of my life and now love living in a small beach community...home is where the heart is....

[pinkchick]

weeder;946213 wrote: My older son returned to New York this past June. He is getting his masters degree in education. He could have continued his education down here, in Virginia however he has been longing to return to New York, for the past 12 years.

He has loathed every moment of living here, since I relocated he and his brother 12 years ago.

Now that hes gone, he keeps trying to convince us all to go back also.

He loves the sights, the sounds and the excitement of city life.

Also the availabity of cultural entertainment, and the ethnic diversity,

I love those things also... Im just not willing to pay the price to have them,

and I am a nature lover.

Anyway, this son has a nine year old daughter. ( My grandaughter) A little southern belle, as her mom is from here ( Raised on a mountain)

John couldnt wait to get my grandaughter up to New York.

He would love her to go live with him,

This week he has taken her to see Young Frankenstein on Broadway.

They have gone to Cirque de Solei

They have been to Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, and The Bronx Zoo.

Hes taken her to a number of impressive department stores, and Im certain they have eaten in nice restaurants numerous times.

I have been curious about her reactions to the city, and Ive asked him a couple of times." John, what does Annaleese think of New York? " : She must be really amazed, its so exciting"

He says " Yeah, she likes it" But when he asks her " What do you think?"

She says. " I miss the mountains daddy, and the trees" " Its fun here, but I miss the mountains, and the trees"

So simple. Such a simple reaction to everything that is going on around her.

For some reason, when I think of her little voice saying this, It chokes me up.

It chokes me up, because I find it incredulous that such a little person, who has not lived long. knows already, in her heart what she loves. I also didnt know that she even was so aware of her surroundings.

It is also interesting to note that ( as I have told my son many times before) it isnt necessary to provide an extravaganza of entertainment for children. They are content with so little. I feel like Ive discovered something that Annaleese and I have in common now. She is a little nature lover also.

If the world was to start over again tomorrow, we would be left with only our surroundings. People who need man made entertainment would feel bereft. But people who get up everday, and are entertained by the backdrop of the beautiful earth, wouldnt feel much of a difference.

Today its a beautiful day, here in Virginia. As I look out the windows of my " Tree House" apartment... I see The Blue Ridge Mountains on one side, and The Alleghany Mountains on the other. It is very quiet here. I can only hear birds chirping and singing. Tonite, people will dine in the few little restaurants in the town, or gather in the little town square where one lone musician may play the fiddle for them. The town will roll in by 9pm, and the only thing to look at, will be a million stars in the very black skyline, uncluttered by sky scrapers.

It does annoy me sometimes that our local supermarket doesnt have the Greek Yogurt that I love. But I can live with that.

When my grand daughter gets home on Monday, I think I will arrange a date to go on a hike into the mountains with her.

As for my son, I think Ive lost him. To the sights and sounds and the excitement of city life. I think we dont have as much in common as I thought we did. But then I had 43 years of all of the city, before I came here. Maybe he will absorb all that it has to offer, and someday, decide to come home.

He will be able to share with his daughter all of the culture, that is his upbringing. Broaden her mind about ethnic diversity. Encourage her to visit places outside of her realm of existence... and she can open his eyes to all of the wonderous things around her here.

Weeder

Reporting from Virginias beautiful Shenandoah Valley.


Weeder, you always paint such wonderful pictures when you write.

It sounds wonderful where you live :-4

[Trunk Monkey]

What a wonderful post Weeder and thank you for sharing it with us.

[chonsigirl]

Take her on that beautiful hike, because her heart is already there in the mountains and beauty of the world she knows, and loves.

[Accountable]

I don't get city folk.

[Joannah]

I was born in a city and lived there well into adulthood, then I moved to the countryside and there is no comparison.

I visit my home town occasionally but can't wait to return to the countryside.

[mikeinie]

You are a great writer; I enjoyed reading your post and could picture myself there.

Take her on that hiking trip, she will love it.

[weeder]

Yes, once youve experienced country life... it really is impossible to give it up. The optimum arrangement would be to have the means to have multiple residences. But having to choose one location means staying here... hands down. The way I see it is with the lower cost of living in a small country town, save the money and take a trip to the city when you need a dose

( as someone else pointed out)

Its nice to know so many of you feel the way I do. An appreciation for country living actually presents so many topics to talk about.