I just got back from downtown Indiana. There was a Blues Festival today, so I walked up town and sat down for a bit. There were about five local bands performing. It was perfect weather to be outside, listening to good, live music. I meandered to a little shop and got a cup of (horrible) coffee and went back to my little spot on the grass. As I was leaving the festival, I decided to stop by the grocery store and get a few things for dinner tonight. I began thinking of the things I really do enjoy about Indiana, PA. Here they are:
1. I can walk to town in 8 minutes.
2. Most of the stores are closed on Sundays.
3. I can easily and happily walk to the grocery store.
4. There are tons of little mom and pop stores
5. The Farmers Market.
6. I can buy almost anything local.
7. I can walk to the coffee shop.
8. There are several parks within walking distance of our house.
9. People are starting to remember me when I go places.
10. Fall
11. There are several beautiful, old homes here that I get to walk by each time leave my house.
12. I am getting fairly acclimated to our neighborhood and can tell you that the roads going North to South are as follows: Philadelphia, Gompers, Church, School, Washington, Poplar, Locust, Elm, Grant, Grandview, Maple.
13. I can sit on my front porch and enjoy IUP's band practicing on Friday evenings.
14. I can sit on my back deck and read and drink tea
15. I can hear the church bells from Calvary every hour.
16. I can ask my neighbor for butter and she'll let me use some.
17. Walking to church or the library is no problem!
18. We're far enough away from the college that we don't have any student "issues".
That's all I thought of, but I'm sure there are more! I don't think I mind small town life as much as I use too. Sure, going to a good mall or Target is a day trip. Some of my favorite stores and restaurants are many miles away, but that makes me much more grateful when I get to go and I'm much less likely to spend money foolishly.
Maybe Indiana doesn't have all that I want, but I'm beginning to see that it really does have all that I need. I'm so grateful that the Lord is softening my heart to this place and that I'm starting to feel like this is home.
4 comments:
ohhhhh, you're making me miss my college days!!! I love the part of town you're in. yep, you can walk to Giant Eagle, get to the parks, walk downtown & see all those pretty homes all withing maybe a mile? - if that. One things for sure, Indiana is a charming little town, a great place for families, and big enough to offer the parades & concerts to entertain you. I'm glad that Indiana is starting to wear on you a bit :)
Ashley-
Thanks for the sweet card and thoughtful words... I love you!
I can't tell you how much I love reading your blog. I feel like we are living so close together since I get to check on your life almost daily. Even when you don't hear from me, know that I am reading about your ups and downs and praying with a thankful heart for your friendship!
Love the artwork!
Nina
I'm so glad that you are liking Indiana. And Fall is almost upon us. You who turned your furnace on already!! ::grin::
Hey,
I'm learning to love my small town life too! I don't get to walk every like you do, unfortunately. I usually have the stroller and Brenham has this thing about not completing their sidewalks. Grrr! But other than that I can relate. I love that it's starting to feel more like home.
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