CHRISTMAS IN A SMALL TOWN
- Tweet
Big City Blues
Having lived in a big city environment for most of my life, any sense of enjoying a real Christmas experience was fleeting. Yes, there were the big light- driven displays and boulevard decorations, but little or no sense of community.
We lived for a number of years in the outlying suburban city of Wellington, Florida. It is located just west of the metropolis of West Palm Beach. It had a laid back rural feel to it when we first moved there, but that began to change when a major shopping mall was built there. As a result, big city traffic and crime infiltrated the area.
We loved Christmas back then. Lighted reindeer displays decorated our front yard. Festive lights trimmed the front of the house. A big colorful wreath hung on the front door.
Unfortunately, neighborhood kids eventually decided it was fun to cut the wiring on our displays and house lighting. Then thefts occurred and neighbors were suspected. Police were summoned to investigate and warnings were given but no arrests were made. After a few years of this, we stopped setting out displays. It just wasn’t worth the trouble anymore.
Introducing Country Hybrid Manifestations
Since I wasn’t happy with attending a local church there, I looked for one in a small town. I found one in Belle Glades, Florida, about 25 miles from home. Not necessarily the best place for a rural home because of the transients in the area, it was still more of what I was looking for.
We made a number of friends there and participated in several of the yearly events. One of them was singing in the Christmas choir. Members of the church invited us to dinners afterwards in their homes or the congregation would have a celebratory dinner after the service.
We knew then that someday living in a small town or rural environment would be a goal we would want to shoot for. I guess the feeling you get from country people is different than what you receive elsewhere. At least that is what I aspired to then and still believe now.
The Town I Live In Now
Defuniak Springs is one of only 2 areas in the world that has a circular spring-fed lake. Having moved there a few years ago, we discovered that the town centers major activities around it’s tree-lined shores.
The lake is surrounded by many antebellum and colonial-style homes. It is basically the showplace center of town. Every year around Christmastime, it is encompassed with an incredible amount of decorative displays, animated figures, and specialty lighting. Tours include riding around the route in horse drawn carriages.
Several of the big homes have large, and well lit “Nativity Scenes”. Banners hung from balconies emphasize the word “Christ” in the word Christmas. Since rural churches dot the area, God fearing people seem to live here.
Last year we took our grand kids on the tour. This Christmas, we viewed it all in our SUV with some friends. We had previously met them while shopping online for the fresh vegetables that they grow. They have a small farm just north of us. We enjoyed the fact that we could share the experience with others.
The Crux Of It All
I am sure that there are many small towns throughout America that embrace a number of seasonal traditions. Many of them are probably close knit communities.
But here, when the bank tellers get to know us, they remember our names. Have a Merry Christmas, they say, and enjoy some holiday treats from our display table before you leave. When you finish shopping in a store, clerks wish you a similar greeting.
Sometimes an old farmer will stop and chat with you while you are buying groceries. Or you get friendly advice looking for supplies in a country-centered hardware store.
I even asked our local United Parcel Service deliveryman to place a very special gift for my wife off to the side when he brought it. Trying to be secretive, I didn’t want her to see it. I figured he would forget. He didn’t. The next day the package was placed exactly where I had asked him to place it.
Our best holiday celebrations have usually been when we travel to visit with other family members, or we are fortunate enough to have them visit us. In absence of that, you make do with what you have. Spending Christmas in a small town seems to bring it all together!
I am requesting that my readers click on the links provided and download a sample read of each book and give a review on Amazon. You will have free access to the first four chapters of each book. My hope is that you will like the story lines enough to obtain either an eBook version or a paperback copy that you can put on your bookshelf as a masterpiece when you are done. FATE STALKS A HERO I: RESURGENCE, FATE STALKS A HERO II:THE FIJI FULCRUM, and THE SAGA OF HERACLES PENOIT. I will be giving excerpts on these works in upcoming blogs to familiarize you the reader with exciting details about the contents of each one. Thank you!
- Tweet
Related Posts
If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging then i propose him/her to pay
a quick visit this web site, Keep up the pleasant job.
For most recent information you have to visit web and on web I found
this web page as a best website for hottest updates.
always i used to read smaller articles which as well clear their motive, and that
is also happening with this paragraph which I am reading at this place.
Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible post.
Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this
blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized
it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I
found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Magnificent items from you, man. I have be mindful your stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely magnificent.
I actually like what you’ve bought here, really like what you’re saying and the way by which you are saying it.
You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for
to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you.
This is actually a terrific web site.
Great site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like
yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
That is a great tip particularly to those new to the
blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Many thanks for
sharing this one. A must read article!
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would really like
to have you share some stories/information. I know my
viewers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
I like the helpful info you provide to your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again right here frequently.
I am reasonably sure I will learn many new stuff right right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Hi there, all the time i used to check blog posts here early in the dawn, as i
love to gain knowledge of more and more.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter
a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you,
you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something
too few men and women are speaking intelligently
about. Now i’m very happy I came across this during my search for something regarding this.
Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your
blog. Im really impressed by your blog.
Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg
it and individually suggest to my friends. I’m sure they will be
benefited from this website.
I truly love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own personal blog and want
to know where you got this from or just what the theme is named.
Many thanks!
Hello there I am so delighted I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake,
while I was researching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the
theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also
included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
do keep up the awesome b.
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your
post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content available for you?
I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write
about here. Again, awesome site!
Greetings! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading
your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects?
Thank you so much!
Excellent web site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you in your effort!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest
of the site is also really good.
Thanks so much for the article.Really thank you! Fantastic.
I do not recognize who you are however definitely you are going to a famous blogger when you aren’t already.
The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested
to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has
83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share
it with someone!
This paragraph offers clear idea in support of the new viewers of blogging, that truly how to do blogging and
site-building.
Actually no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of then its up to other users that they
will help, so here it occurs.
Good ?V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task..