When I moved here thirty years ago, the countryside was considerably different. It’s amazing how quickly it has changed.
For instance, when I first arrived, most people were older than me. Now, it’s just the opposite. Maybe there’s a fountain of youth around here that no one told me about, but I could use a snoot-full.
Not only that, but everyone’s polite. Sometimes they speak so softly I can barely hear them. In fact, it seems quieter in general these days, as if all the loud noises were off in the distance. Maybe up north.
The natural resources almost appear boundless. And our trail system is incredible, sometimes seeming to go on forever. It’s as if the Park Service has been lengthening them ever since I got here. Why, just the hike to my wild trout stream seems to have grown three times longer.
Even our beaches have expanded. The walk down to the ocean’s edge must be twice as long as I remember it. Maybe the tide’s going out farther and someone on the other side is getting swamped.
I’ve been an amateur bird watcher for most of my years and keep my feeders well stocked. I’ve noticed even the birds are changing. Yes, the colors on the cardinals and goldfinches are as bright as ever, but my feathered friends look a little fuzzier and out of focus. Perhaps they are evolving and it helps them hide.
One thing I will grant is that there’s no question the food has improved, especially the barbecue. It’s become so good, if you could believe it, that eating has become my favorite hobby.
But the pollen is definitely worse. I was never out of breath when I first moved here; now, I can’t walk to the mailbox without getting winded.
Another change for the worse is what appears to be erosion taking a toll on our creeks and rivers. The reason I say this it that it is much more difficult to climb back up the banks of the river after a day’s fishing. All I can figure is that the river has worn the bed out so the banks are higher and steeper.
Another thing that seems to have gone downhill is the quality of our mattresses. It’s hard to find beds as comfortable as we used to have. No matter the kind I buy, I still wake up during the night. I can’t explain why; maybe I’m rolling over a mattress button. Anyway, I wake up, and since I’m up . . . well, you know.
Any shortcomings in the mattresses have more than been offset by the comfort of couches and hammocks. I can hardly stretch out on one without nodding off. Now, that’s comfort.
Furthermore, nowadays there’s a lot more things to do and many of the establishments are open late, some well past 9 p.m. I couldn’t really tell you how much later they’re open, but I’ve heard tell it’s a lot later.
I might go there more often but one of the things that’s changed is they have stopped playing music I recognize. With the exception of a few Elvis tunes, the local bands all play songs I’ve never heard of. I can’t imagine where they find them.
And the names of these bands make no sense at all. What in the heck is a Hootie? An owl? If that’s the case, what’s a Hootie doing hanging out with a blowfish?
I’ve read that we’re experiencing climate change and I believe it. The reason is that plants grow faster than when I first moved here. Why, my trees couldn’t have been planted that long ago and now they tower over the house. Even my grass . . . when did I mow last? I can’t remember but it needs it again.
Lots of things seem to be going faster as well. When I get on the interstate practically everyone buzzes by me. All I can figure is that it’s related to all the foreign car manufacturers moving here. I’ve heard they make some fast cars.
I wouldn’t think too much of it except even dogs are going faster. I’ve owned a number of bird dogs and retrievers and some of them have been fast. But by jingo, I’ve got a Labrador retriever that I can’t keep up with when we walk. I think the local breeders have been breeding for speed.
All in all, the countryside is an incredible place to live. Not only is the food good and the natural resources are bountiful, but it’s incredible how quickly everything changes.
