For those of you who live in a mid to large city, there are routine noises and sounds that form the backdrop of your everyday life. If you live in such a setting for any length of time, you don't even consciously notice them. Traffic. Machinery. Jets. Sirens.
For those of us who live in rural areas, such sounds are not commonplace at all. Just now, I heard a siren from a police car or ambulance. I hear that sound no more than once or twice per month and, each time I hear it, I'm very conscious of it. I always think to myself, "Hmm. What's up with that?"
Another sound I rarely hear is traffic noises. Sure, my neighbors drive up and down our street as they come and go, but I'm not referencing individual vehicles. I'm talking about the sound of multiple vehicles traveling to and fro. Sometimes, in the summer months, I may hear a bit of traffic on Highway 101 below our hill, but once it gets to 7 or 8 p.m. that sound stops.
I'm often amazed -- and delighted -- that I can sit on my back deck in the evening and hear nary a wayward sound. At times, the silence almost is deafening.
I grew up in a large metro area, Kansas City, MO. While I do recognize some benefits to living in a moderate to large city, I wouldn't trade South Bend for any of them. There is a lot to be said for small town living and a dearth of sounds piercing the silence is one of them!
For those of us who live in rural areas, such sounds are not commonplace at all. Just now, I heard a siren from a police car or ambulance. I hear that sound no more than once or twice per month and, each time I hear it, I'm very conscious of it. I always think to myself, "Hmm. What's up with that?"
Another sound I rarely hear is traffic noises. Sure, my neighbors drive up and down our street as they come and go, but I'm not referencing individual vehicles. I'm talking about the sound of multiple vehicles traveling to and fro. Sometimes, in the summer months, I may hear a bit of traffic on Highway 101 below our hill, but once it gets to 7 or 8 p.m. that sound stops.
I'm often amazed -- and delighted -- that I can sit on my back deck in the evening and hear nary a wayward sound. At times, the silence almost is deafening.
I grew up in a large metro area, Kansas City, MO. While I do recognize some benefits to living in a moderate to large city, I wouldn't trade South Bend for any of them. There is a lot to be said for small town living and a dearth of sounds piercing the silence is one of them!
Hear, hear!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really like it when the power goes off...no 60 cycle hum in the background.
Not the power! No power -- no blogging. :(
ReplyDelete