It's just part of living in....

[englishteacha]

I thought it would be fun to start a thread about the things we deal with because we live in a certain place.

For example, driving to work in a snowstorm is just part of living in Maine. School doesn't get canceled unless there's 6" of snow or more expected.

Having a cow stare at you through your kitchen window is part of living in rural Maine. (The cow "escaped" from the farm up the hill from us.)

 

[PeterPan09]

Waking up in the morning and having a Sandhill crane couple staring at you through your bedroom window is part of living in my neighborhood. Scared the snot out of me the first time, now I just say "Good Morning Fred! Good Morning Ethel!"

They're about 5 foot tall so they are literally looking me right in the eye.

 

[paintnolish]

Illinois has two seasons: road construction and winter.

 

[HeatherFeather]

Going for a run in your neighborhood and having to dodge an alligator on the sidewalk. It's just part of living in Florida.

 

[iwrbnd]

Turning your heat and air-conditioning on in the same day is just part of living in the midwest. (Missouri)

 

[masonjar]

I live in Lynchburg, TN where Jack Daniel Whiskey is made. After the alcohol is taken from the mash, the mash is sold as a slop by-product to the local farmers to feed their cattle. Getting behind a full slop truck going really slow is just part of living in Lynchburg...not to mention the slow tractors. We don't get in too much of a hurry around here...wouldn't do you any good anyway. Drives the drivers from the surrounding towns crazy.

 

[minkydog]

Here in Atlanta you calculate driving distance in minutes rather than miles. It's not 18 miles to Phillips arena, it's 45 minutes.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

In NJ, politicians are elected based on degree of corruption...

 

[nmmom95]

Illinois has two seasons: road construction and winter.

Shore traffic in the summer and jughandles (no left turns) are part of living in New Jersey.

 

[emer95]

We smell Cheerios every time we drive over the Skyway.

We wear shorts and wash our cars when it gets in the 50's.

We measure snow in feet, not inches.

Driving in a blizzard doesn't scare us in the least.

No one celebrates spring like we do.

Our fall foliage is breathtaking.

It's just part of living in Buffalo (and her suburbs). I'd never want to live anywhere else.

 

[dis-happy]

A weekly limit of 30 leaf bags a week. It takes several weeks to clear out the fall leaves on our half acre. Oh the joy of living in the city of trees.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

A weekly limit of 30 leaf bags a week. It takes several weeks to clear out the fall leaves on our half acre. Oh the joy of living in the city of trees.

Buy a small chipper. You can chop those leaves down to less than one tenth the volume...

 

[disney1990]

The area comes to a standstill no matter how little snow we get; just part of living in the DC area.

 

[mjkacmom]

Everyone is town is a short walk from a pizzaria or nail salon, and thanks to diners (there are 6 five minutes from my home), the ability to eat anything you want, 24/7. If you have the hankering for pot roast or a gyro at 3 am, it's ready for you! That's why we pay 5 figure property taxes!

 

[legalsea]

Turning on the AC on Christmas Day is not unheard of in this part of Texas.

 

[Pakey]

Schools closed for fog rather than snow.

It's not hot until it reaches 110 outside.

The Terminator is your fearless leader.

 

[Sorsha]

Knowing that no matter how much snow is forecasted, school will never be cancelled unless it is a blizzard - there literally have to be drifts in excess of a foot or more before they even think about cancelling school. Yes, I have driven kids to school in howling winds, breaking trail through a foot of snow or more, in my minivan. Its just part of living in Montana.

Hunting season is a state holiday. There are more absences from school and work during the last week of October and the first week of November then any other time of the year. Its just part of living in Montana.

There are no concerts, no plays, no museums, no culture. Our idea of high entertainment is the local Playhouse on the lake putting on "Annie" or the local high school's combined band/choir concert. Best "museum" in the area is a big old house once owned by Charles Conrad on the east side of towm, donated to the town by his heirs, now fixed up with period furniture and decor. Tours daily, twice a day. Its all part of living in Montana.

There is no sales tax. When the price on the shelf says $7.95, I know I will pay exactly $7.95. However our cost of living is rotten-high and our wages suck. Its all part of living in Montana.

We have three seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction. Oh and forest fire season - it has to fit in there somewhere. Once a year, in the height of summer, the state tries to burn down. You breathe smoke and ash for a couple of solid weeks, you can't see very far, and you can't go near the woods. Its all part of living in Montana.

At least once a year, a bear or a bobcat gets stuck in a tree in the middle of town and the fire department and the game wardens have to try to figure out how to get him down. Its all part of living in Montana.

I have to drive two hours away to shop at a Gymboree, 2 *states* away to find a Fashion Bug, an Olive Garden, a Red Lobster, or a Krispy Kreme. Its all part of living in Montana.

I am a Democrat, an Agnostic, a feminist, and an environmentalist. If I speak too loudly or too forcefully about my beliefs in the wrong company, my car will be keyed, my kids will be harassed, my house will be egged, and I will be generally shunned in society. Its all part of living in Montana.

HOWEVER.

In less than an hour, I can be at one of over 30 lakes, 2 ski resorts, a national park, and innumerable wilderness, hiking and recreation areas. My air and water are clean and unpolluted, and (as long as I don't spout "liberal rhetoric") my neighbors are kind, polite, and helpful. My kids can ride their bikes to school, walk to the park, and run all over the neighborhood unsupervised. Crime is very low, and I always feel safe walking to my car, in any neighborhood, even after dark. Its all part of living in Montana.

 

[torinsmom]

It's just part of living in North Carolina that.....

if it LOOKS like it might snow, everything closes down,

we have solar powered snow removal, meaning the snow is gone when it melts,;-)

you are a Duke or Carolina fan and hate the other team with a passion,

you live within 4-5 hours of both the beach and the mountains.

 

[61292cna]

Illinois has two seasons: road construction and winter.

so very true!

 

[luvflorida]

Living in Southern Arizona means:

Finding the occasional scorpion in your house.

Never having to own a lawnmower or snow shovel.

No humidity.

Very, very few rainy days, but when it does rain, it comes down fast and furious. Flash flooding can be a real threat.

Beautiful, wonderful abundant sunshine!

Eight months (October-May) of the most beautiful weather you'll find anywhere (IMO)

Two neccessities: good pair of sunglasses and lots of sunscreen.


Living in Southern Coastal Maine means:

Black flies and mud season, and mosquitos big enough to ride.

Being a few minutes drive to gorgeous beaches and coastline.

Having to own a lawnmower and a snow shovel (preferably a snowblower).

Four months (July-October) of the most beautiful weather you'll find anywhere (IMO). Although, summers can be unpredictable, sometimes being too chilly and rainy.

Delicious and extremely fresh seafood. Oh, how I miss the fried haddock dinners at the Weathervane Restaurants! And, the Clambake, the Lobster Shack, oh, the list goes on...

Two neccessities: a winter coat and bug repellant.

Very hot summers are definitely a part of living in Arizona and very cold winters are definitely a part of living in Maine!