It seems the idea of going back to our country roots is now in vogue.
Hmmmm. . . don’t you wonder who came up with this novel idea?
An entire industry has grown out of the notion that even those in suburbia can learn to do such novel things as put a seed in dirt, and it will one day provide lovely, nourishing food.
“It requires almost nothing, it costs less than what we pay in the supermarket, and with a quick water rinse, it can go right to our table to be enjoyed,” a woman reported with great, surprised joy.
Off the grid
A news report recently carried a segment about those who have become so weary of politics, plea bargains and nightly bulletins filled with brutality that they have chosen to live “off grid” far, far from the chaos of the city.
“We have our own water well,” the man with the million-dollar cabin (in the middle of beautiful nowhere, Montana) said.
Not all that many years ago (in terms of archaic world history) when I heard a young woman complain about her dreadfully high water bill, I was a bit confused.
Water sources
I thought everyone had a water well. I mentioned that we didn’t have to pay for our water, but I knew we had to be conservation-minded when using it.
“Well, no — you can use all the water you want, but you bet it costs money!” was her response.
She seemed to think I was either dreadfully misinformed or had been blessed by flock of charming water fairies.
Rural America
When politicians speak of rural America, don’t you wonder how many of them have a grasp on who makes up that group? I had never given it much thought in recent years until seeing suburban housing communities and family farms sort of being considered one and the same.
From a legislative viewpoint, the two populations could not be more different in terms of need. But there is more that unites than divides us, because what we all want is a perking economy, safe communities for our children whether in small towns or along the rural farmland with villages situated between them.
Coming back to life
It has been great to see many towns coming back to life, as people figure out that small businesses can provide a strong economic boost, and folks appreciate shopping for American made goods in lovely little shops.
Putting to use some beautiful old storefronts in downtown areas of villages, towns and cities from upstate New York through the Midwestern states to central farming areas of California is a revival that benefits the people who love where they live.
Plant a seed, watch it grow. It is a good thing for every one of us.
