I’ve often heard it said that “you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”
I grew up in a small house my dad built on an acre of property in northeast Ohio. Big virgin forest across the street and a dairy farm behind us. Very quiet neighborhood - about 7 or 8 houses on the street at that time. In the summertime - the aroma of fresh cow manure was often prevalent! Funny how some things as distasteful as they may seem, bring back fond memories! I remember lots of lazy days hiking past the cow pastures into the woods beyond, just to see what was there. Single shot .22 over my shoulder just in case I came across an old bottle or can that needed shooting. Nobody back then gave a second thought to a kid with a rifle.
As if that wasn’t quiet enough, my wife and I eventually purchased a total of 8 acres in a small northeast Ohio town that was predominantly Amish. Talk about quiet!
We pretty much raised the boys there until they were both in their teens. Family around and some forever friends. Idyllic setting in many ways.
Some years later, we moved from that rural 8 acre spread in Northeast Ohio to a postage stamp size lot with a nice house in Sarasota Florida - October of 1996. All the reasons you would expect - tired of hard winters and grey sky. Long drives into town for just about anything. Because we lived in such a rural area the joint high school with our town and the next one combined only graduated 15 to 20 students per year. You can imagine then how limited were the educational opportunities for our boys. These things had all begun to contribute to a desire for change. A chance to provide more opportunity to the boys and the idea of a ”clean start” has always held some allure.
Sara had relatives in Sarasota, so we occasionally spent time here and were somewhat familiar with the area. While it was a city, it was still relatively quiet, far more educational opportunities for the boys, everything you could possibly need, within walking distance or only a short drive. At that time the cost of living was lower than up north. (Definitely not the case today) Work was available, but pay scales reflected the lower cost of living. Overall though - lots of positives.
Sara had come down to Florida on a “house hunting” expedition, just to see what was available and to evaluate wether or not she thought we could adjust to city life. Initially she came up empty. She knew we would not like the idea of a neighbors house within sneezing distance of our own and that’s about all she was finding.
A day or so before she was to return to Ohio she came across a place she really liked. Nice setting - big oak trees and although the neighboring homes were close, this house offered some privacy not afforded by most of the others she had visited. It had a swimming pool and a free standing building we could use as a music studio. Basically it ticked all the boxes. The best part was just the rural feeling even though it was conveniently located in town. We bought it and made it our own.
The move and lifestyle adjustments were much harder than anticipated though. True - we loved the convenience of city life - quick access to everything - but we discovered it was very difficult to make friends. To feel like we were a part of things. Admittedly we aren’t the most outgoing people, but I suspect that just the transient nature of a large percentage of the population was the root cause. “Snowbirds” generally come complete with their own social circles and have little need to get to know those that aren’t already included. At times the longing for something familiar could become overwhelming.
Fast forward almost 28 years and some 4 moves later and we find ourselves in our 3rd house in Sarasota. Even less property and more densely populated. Overdevelopment throughout the area is rampant.
For several years now I’ve begun to really miss the quiet northeast Ohio lifestyle. A bit of property where I’m not scrutinized by “Code Enforcement” if I want to park my camper in the driveway for a few days or if I want to build an additional shed on my own property. We have nice neighbors, and of all the neighborhoods we’ve lived in - this one is by far the quietist. Really strange in light of the fact we’re just outside a very busy airport.
Since retiring in 2023 we’ve had the luxury of spending extended periods up north with family and friends. Sure there have been some changes to the area but it's still very rural and feels like home. We've entertained the desire to move back more than once. We’ve thought about maybe buying a few acres where we could park the camper - possibly stay up there for a good chunk of the summer, but admittedly, I’m not made of money. Yes, we could probably swing the right situation if it came along, but is it really practical? I’ve been around enough to know that “dreams aren’t always what they seem to be.” (A line from one of my songs.)
Reality however, always seems to bring us back to center. My folks live about 5 miles away. Recently my older son and family have located to our area.
For the first time since the boys grew up and moved away, we have family nearby! Grandkids! Suddenly after all these years there is no lack of activity!
Our gatherings are becoming what they used to be many years ago when we all lived near each other in Ohio. It’s fun!
Funny thing though, I haven’t been able to shake that desire for some more land. It nags at me. It’s been years since I began hiring my yard work done and had to spend any time working in the little yard we do have. I blamed it on allergies and lack of time while I was working. My off time was more valuable to me than the few dollars a month that I spent paying for lawn care.
Until recently.
Sara has been working on our yards for years, She’s always wanted the back yard to feel secluded - private. Not with privacy fence, but rather with trees and plants. She had a vision and was actively pursuing it. This spring we splurged and had an additional paver area installed directly behind the house along with some new flower beds and plantings. Suddenly we have that secluded back yard she had been envisioning. We sit out there evenings and it’s quiet. I included up lighting in some of the trees. it’s quite peaceful.
I’ve actually begun to spend time working in the yard again. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’ve enjoyed it! It’s incredibly satisfying to see the results of a dirty, sweaty day while enjoying a glass of wine out there in the evening.
Recently I purchased an old lawn tractor. That really makes me feel like I’m in the country again! In some strange way - complete…
Just an old lawn tractor…..
