When I say small, I mean itty bitty. I'm talking a population of under 1200... in fact, it's probably much closer to 1000.
There's no Walmart. There's no theater, or pool, or fast food. There's no chain stores. No car wash. No nothin like that!
There's a grocery store, and a couple hotels, a few restaurants and a hardware store. There's a bank, an insurance office, a furniture store, a clothes store. We have a post office, a hospital a school and a library. Oh, and of course a bar and a liquor store, can't forget the booze spots. Actually, as I'm trying this, I'm realizing there are TWO liquor stores... (you can see what's important around here.) But that's about it!
I was born and raised here. So, I'm not exaggerating when I say I know almost everyone by name. And they know me too! This makes my blog kinda fun, becasue on three separate occasions last week I had three separate people come up to me and say they are reading it and enjoying it, and two of them said they love the recipes! So that's fun! One lady even told me she thought of me while making granola bars a couple weeks back when she actually got the number of bars that the recipe said she would! (For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you know why that's funny. For those who don't, it's becasue of this post.)
Some days it's a little hard to live in such a small town. Everyone knows everything about everyone. Word travels fast no matter what the situation! Plus, you all know my love for Walmart, and sometimes I wish that I could just aimlessly wander the isles buying inexpensive things that I don't really need. And sometimes I would literally KILL (or at least almost kill) for a Teen Burger and some Poutine and a big Chocolate Shake!
But then there's other occasions where living here is pretty special.
Like our weekly Monday morning shop always includes a visit, and a banana for Growly Bear, with our friendly produce man. And the entire grocery store (and community!) knows her by name, has watched her grow, and has enjoyed each and every milestone with us. Pretty sure grocery shopping is the highlight of Growly Bears week!
There are amazing programs for moms and little ones to get together and play and visit. And what makes it even more fun, is each of us has watched and followed everyone in the groups pregnancies, and has know the kids/babies right from the start! So it makes it a pretty wonderful environment for the mommas and the kids.
And then there's an event like we had this weekend, where I realize all over again what an incredibly community we live in.
There was a "Piggy Party" on Saturday night. A full pig was slowly smoked to juicy perfection, and people came from far and wide, bringing amazing food to share, and to enjoy the deliciousness. Along with salads, buns, appies, pizza, and incredibly desserts, there was fresh salmon and fresh venison. The coolest part being, all of the meat was raised, caught, and butchered locally! We truly live in the land of plenty.
After our large feast, the live music started, and everyone danced the night away.
All this was incredible in it's self, but what struck me as so wonderful, was the happy little kids that were everywhere! I realized how fortunate we all are to live in a place that's safe! A place where kids can run, and laugh, and be free, and be, well, KIDS!
My little party animal had a blast! She's my little social butterfly. More then happy to visit with everyone. Be held and chat with people she'd never "met", but who have known her since the start! She didn't make strange once! Just soaked up the love and attention from all who gave it. And for those who failed to notice her, she was more then happy to crawl on over and introduce herself.
It was during all this that I truly understood what that famous old proverb really meant! "It takes a whole village to raise a child." This village certainly is raising my child! And I think they are doing a pretty awesome job.
She ended up making a new best friend, who danced with her for hours. She met him once before. Last year, when she was no more then 3 or 4 months old. There's no way she remembered him from that! But, she decided he was pretty darn cool, and chose him as her dance partner for the evening. She even lasted until 11pm, THREE hours past her bed time.
There are times that I think I'd like to move someplace bigger. There are days when I feel like tomorrow would be a good time to think seriously about doing that! I know one day we are going to want to provide more opportunities for Growly Bear. But for now, I think this is the perfect place to be.
So thank you to my amazing village, who's helping raise this incredible little individual! And thank you to all the wonderful people who make up our "home". And a special thank you to Growly Bear's awesome dance partner, for making a little girls night.
Love and Hugs