“I had to remember how this living was done in paradise.”
SSepponen
As I try to put together some sort of blog, the genres just don't seem to fit what I have the most knowledge about. Since I'm located in what I'll call an "ultra rural" area and know the lifestyle well, I looked up blogs on rural living and so many of them have a romanticized presentation. It all appears so fake.
My house is not a log cabin or cozy cottage. The exterior is sided with what I'm sure was deeply discounted asphalt from the 1940s. The yard is not preened but presents a rather wild look. The shed roof-line dips and heaves, the rusty corrugated tin roof may flap and bang on windy days. In days gone by, it housed sheep, pigs, chickens and a couple of Shetland ponies.
I will introduce the realities that were foggy in my mind when I returned home after 5 years.
I had to remember how this living was done in paradise.
1. Get everything you need when venturing out.
The nearest Walmart or any big box store is at least a 40 minute drive either south or east. To the west or north it's even further. We, in the Midwest, usually refer to distance in terms of the time it takes to get to a destination. When making a trip to town the "list" is a must have. The list includes not only grocery items but the odds and ends I may need in the near future from Home Depot or Menards. I can't forget items for the pets from Fleet Farm. If something is forgotten then the shorter trip of 10-22 miles to the local grocery or hardware store will cost you not only in fuel but items priced at 20-30% more.
2. Something breaks or fails.
The house was in desperate need of plumbing upgrades. It took a couple of months to get any plumber to respond. I jumped at the one and only call-back and probably paid too much out of desperation. In rural areas tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians and construction go after their paychecks in new construction and seem to be booked out nearly a year. I ended up installing the shower myself, the 40 year old water pump seized but I was able to enlist my brother's help. I was without running water for a couple days. It took me about a week to install that shower surround and fixtures. Remember to have jugs of water on hand at all times. I've been slowly knocking off electrical items on my list myself. Fully expect to utilize YouTube and learn how to DIY.
3. Internet speed is not speedy.
When loading up those YouTube videos expect to exercise some degree of patience. On occasion there will be glitchiness, if that's even a word. Too many tabs open or processes at work on your computer and everything is likely to freeze up. Using a few apps and streaming music? Better make a choice which one you'd rather have. Silence is golden then.
4. Back-up heat is a must.
Although the power rarely goes
out in my ultra rural area it is vital to have an additional source of heat i.e. a wood stove and firewood that's ready to burn. Problems with the furnace, running out of propane or the power going out will inevitably happen during the coldest days. Last winter the furnace had a problem and fortunately I had a trusty pellet stove to rely on. Late last season however, the pellet stove quit working. In January I ran out of propane and I was so thankful I had a stockpile of firewood until I got propane delivery.
5. Rodents, rodents, rodents.
I will not keep bird feeders anymore. Long ago I was horrified when I saw a rat pop up from under the deck to nab some bird feed that spilled out. Birds are messy. Mice, rats and squirrels will work tirelessly to get at stored seeds in the porch or shed. Old houses end up with gaps and holes over time so sealing those up as fast as you can sure helps. My stance is to avoid the invitation to these pests in the first place. I certainly don't need bigger pests like a black bear in the yard either.
6. There is no garbage pick-up.
Garbage needs to be put somewhere and contained until I can get to the dump and recycling site. My dog gets most food-stuffs so there isn't a whole lot of attractive kibble in the garbage for rodents or bears. I have next to no excuse for getting my garbage to the dump since it is nearly next door. However, it is open only on Saturday morning until 1 pm. If I get entrenched in a project then 1 pm may pass me by and I have to wait another week.
7. Quiet, desolate and isolated.
There's very little traffic. I swear 2-3 cars and a milk truck go by daily, except on "dump day" of course. There might be closer to a dozen that pass here on Saturday. In subzero temperatures all of nature goes quiet, especially at night. There can be literally no noise except for the snapping and popping of trees due to the cold. All year round though the coyotes are quite active and vocal. That can wake me during the night sometimes. It definitely wakes my dog which in turn wakes me, oof, oof. Springtime has tons of frogs singing and croaking. Mosquitoes can be loud and keep me company much to my dismay. I suppose all the noise pollution humans create is muted in the ultra rural areas to amplify nature noise. That's not a bad thing.
In summary, the countryside is a more peaceful and slower existence. There are more opportunities to see and hear what is happening in nature. Life in a rural area takes fortitude, pragmatism and patience. A romanticized perspective will eventually give way to a big dose of reality.
4–6 minutes
A Midwestern Woman's Perspective 
Leave a comment