Another well-written piece perhaps because I was born in Minot, North Dakota. People often say, “You’re from North Dakota, Mount Rushmore, right?”
We are the Peace Garden State. In the 1930s, Canada and US created a peace garden to celebrate the long standing peace between the two nations. I visited the garden just before Israel and Gaza began killing each other. I pray the violence subsides and peace gardens begin growing everywhere soon.
I was born, raised, and have lived in the Southeast for the vast majority of my life. It amuses (but also irritates) me when folks from bigger cities wanna poop on us. Like...not a great way to win people over, you know?
Incidentally, some of the best, most vibrant and creative music scenes are scattered around the country. Yes, there is great music that comes out of New York, Chicago and LA. Of course there is. But there were (and still are, I think) great scenes in Athens GA, Chapel Hill NC, Gainesville FL, Louisville KY and Lawrence KS. Just as many great bands come from San Antonio as Austin, and some of Washington State's best bands came from Olympia or Tacoma, rather than Seattle.
In general, I find it really myopic to act like great things only come from the biggest cities. And that attitude appears to be somewhat common, unfortunately.
I moved to a smaller city from NYC and I have no regrets. My dog got lost twice and the neighbors helped me recover her. In NYC, my dog would have been a new pet to a new family.
This is such a lovely post. Really glad you have this Substack and that I signed up for it! And for the record: I lived in NYC for nearly a decade and think the best thing in the world is “having lived” in NYC and going back to visit frequently as a former resident (which is a half-step up from tourist) and then getting to go home to your small city or town. ❤️
Have to disagree with you about NYC. It's the city that never wakes up. Try being a tourist in Manhattan on the weekend - nothing opens until 10, or 11, or noon. Or one. An open coffee shop at 8 am is great, but then you've got 3 hours of deserted streets until ANYTHING opens. (Don't get me wrong - I love New York. And Savannah.)
Well, I guess you're right about that. New York can have some sleepy mornings. But Wall St. is open early and the diners never close. Plus, if you're up early enough you can have fun watching the club kids stumble home .
Another well-written piece perhaps because I was born in Minot, North Dakota. People often say, “You’re from North Dakota, Mount Rushmore, right?”
We are the Peace Garden State. In the 1930s, Canada and US created a peace garden to celebrate the long standing peace between the two nations. I visited the garden just before Israel and Gaza began killing each other. I pray the violence subsides and peace gardens begin growing everywhere soon.
Let’s here it for Paris, Texas ya’ll!
I was born, raised, and have lived in the Southeast for the vast majority of my life. It amuses (but also irritates) me when folks from bigger cities wanna poop on us. Like...not a great way to win people over, you know?
Incidentally, some of the best, most vibrant and creative music scenes are scattered around the country. Yes, there is great music that comes out of New York, Chicago and LA. Of course there is. But there were (and still are, I think) great scenes in Athens GA, Chapel Hill NC, Gainesville FL, Louisville KY and Lawrence KS. Just as many great bands come from San Antonio as Austin, and some of Washington State's best bands came from Olympia or Tacoma, rather than Seattle.
In general, I find it really myopic to act like great things only come from the biggest cities. And that attitude appears to be somewhat common, unfortunately.
I lived in New York City a long time, then suburbs, now North Carolina. I dig what you’re saying, and yet I still miss New York.
I moved to a smaller city from NYC and I have no regrets. My dog got lost twice and the neighbors helped me recover her. In NYC, my dog would have been a new pet to a new family.
"No wonder New Yorkers are so grouchy - they’re sleep-deprived."
Yeah, I am sure that is what makes them grouchy... 😂
The high rent and groceries is part of it, too.
Your words ring true. As they used to say on the TV show Hee-Haw…SA-LUTE DES MOINES!
Thank you from small town Decatur.
This is such a lovely post. Really glad you have this Substack and that I signed up for it! And for the record: I lived in NYC for nearly a decade and think the best thing in the world is “having lived” in NYC and going back to visit frequently as a former resident (which is a half-step up from tourist) and then getting to go home to your small city or town. ❤️
45 year born and raised Houstonian. Moved smaller 18 years ago. Couldn’t be happier. I’m sure I have not regretted missing a single traffic jam.
Have to disagree with you about NYC. It's the city that never wakes up. Try being a tourist in Manhattan on the weekend - nothing opens until 10, or 11, or noon. Or one. An open coffee shop at 8 am is great, but then you've got 3 hours of deserted streets until ANYTHING opens. (Don't get me wrong - I love New York. And Savannah.)
Well, I guess you're right about that. New York can have some sleepy mornings. But Wall St. is open early and the diners never close. Plus, if you're up early enough you can have fun watching the club kids stumble home .