tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post3352452891700968736..comments2023-10-11T10:08:09.664-05:00Comments on Willful Grace: Blog Slackergracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353719852472577554noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post-66932297436336745602007-09-04T16:20:00.000-05:002007-09-04T16:20:00.000-05:00Jarred,Well, I think all of us build up our own so...Jarred,<BR/>Well, I think all of us build up our own sorts of "small communities" within the larger place we live....and I completely understand the unhealthy isolationism you're referring to. I often felt a great deal of that when I was married to Tdub because I wanted to isolate alot of the time for trust and safety reasons. And...actually...I'm promoting the rural small-town thing really just as the most ideal place to raise a family, not necessarily something that's for everyone. Sounds like you have a figured out healthy ways to be in community...which is really the key for all of us when it gets down to it. I appreciate your input...as always! :)<BR/>pamgracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353719852472577554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post-18211292217016646532007-09-04T09:36:00.000-05:002007-09-04T09:36:00.000-05:00Having grown up in the kind of area you're describ...Having grown up in the kind of area you're describing, I can certainly attest to the accuracy of your points. I loved the fact that everyone knew everyone else.<BR/><BR/>But in my experience, there's a shadow side to that experience, too. If you don't "fit in" with the general culture of your small town, it can create all kinds of problems. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania. Let's just say that being a gay witch in such an environment didn't always make it easy to fit in and socialize. So for me, moving to a smaller city was a perfect option.<BR/><BR/>I suppose the other solution would be to find or build a smaller community that caters to my sensibilities. But the problem that I see with that approach is that it's too easy to fall into isolationism. And I don't exactly think that's healthy either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post-53401752290922432502007-09-04T07:40:00.000-05:002007-09-04T07:40:00.000-05:00You're right Norm! I know lots of folks who've vi...You're right Norm! I know lots of folks who've visited foreign countries and run into former classmates or even neighbors they hadn't met yet! Those sorts of happenings are comforting, aren't they?<BR/><BR/>Anonymous: Thanks for such a thoughtful comment. Hope you will do so more often! :)gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353719852472577554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post-7273492262632715942007-09-03T22:37:00.000-05:002007-09-03T22:37:00.000-05:00I TOTALLY agree with the idea of putting people in...I TOTALLY agree with the idea of putting people into smaller townships. Accountability or being known for who you are and what you do is great. You gain credit and worth based on your reputation. However, my mom grew up in a small town and her mother was known for being outspoken, unruly, etc.... My poor mom and her brothers had to put up with that while growing up. Fortunately they all turned out to be great people but she does recall the hostile looks they recieved sometimes. My mom credits the reputation of her grandmother and partially being raised by her grandmother for the good times they had in their small town and the strength of character that she and her brothers developed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post-734470253843475892007-09-03T01:27:00.000-05:002007-09-03T01:27:00.000-05:00Wow, that is a small town! I sometimes wonder abou...Wow, that is a small town! I sometimes wonder about moving to small town or even just a quiet suburb. <BR/><BR/>Of course, you don't have to live in small town to run into familiar faces. A friend from the first grade works where I bank. He monitors my bank/credit accounts and does call me when my spending is out of control and I need credit [or a bank fee reversal :( ]. It's a little creepy.Norm!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10925789885737585791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381314.post-21820518658821142542007-09-03T01:24:00.000-05:002007-09-03T01:24:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Norm!https://www.blogger.com/profile/10925789885737585791noreply@blogger.com