Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"Small Town Blues"
On our way to New Orleans, we listened to "Small Town Blues" by Ruthie Foster from her CD, "Runaway Soul". I'd almost think that the song was written for me. These words from the song resonate strongly.
I've got the low-dirty-livin-in-a smalltown blues
And I'm runnin' out of things to do
I don't need no pity, just drop me in a city
I've got to feel the rhythm runnin' down in my shoes
My town is a perfectly nice town. There's not a whole lot I'd say against it, except that it's not a city, especially, it's not that one special city that I still miss so much. That's it. I'm a city "girl". Now that I'm no longer a girl, I'm probably much better off living in my town with a population of 17,000 people, rather than a city, but how can I be sure? And I never run out of things to do. And I thank God that I am never ever bored. But I am a city person, pretty much a one-special-city person.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I understand exactly.
ReplyDeleteI'm just scared to death that we won't be able to sell our house this summer and will be stuck in a small town in the rainy northwest and won't get back for years. Plenty of nights I wake up from nightmares along this line.
I really need the freedom and life of a city. People who see new plays and read books and argue about what is the best coffee shop in the ward and know the five best bookstores and wine shops in the area. Places where there is something to do.
It boggles my mind that there are places where a shopping mall and a Walmart are the center of local existence.
But, each to their own, I suppose.
Dennis, one advantage here is having the university, which provides more cultural activities than a town this size would normally have. Still....
ReplyDeleteI shall pray that you sell your house.
Now that is a prayer I can use.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the New Orleans trip will be during the week (no weekend time) during the third week of June. BUT (and this is a big one) David won't be certain until some time in May. As soon as I know that it is set I'll let you know.
I'll buy the first round of Sazeracs
Dennis, that's fine. Just let me know. I'm looking forward to seeing both of you.
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you Mimi ... I have a a special city too, which I am very fortunate to be able to live in.
ReplyDeleteThe ironic thing is I grew up in a very small town (less than 1,000 people!)...who knew I would become a city boy?
RB, I'm jealous, insanely jealous. Your city is very special, too. A town of 1000! I can't even imagine.
ReplyDeleteI know. :-)
ReplyDeleteKirstin, I know that you know.
ReplyDeleteI think every ex-resident of N.O. is someone forever in exile--and it's even worse for the natives. After a decade in N.O. I moved to a remote northern town of 2,000. It was a big shock, to say the least. Now I'm near a huge city which has lots of offer, but it'll never be "home".
ReplyDeleteDennis, have fun in June & don't forget your coolest cotton shirts. Have a po-boy & Abita for me.
I just lived north of the Lake for one year (but visited my father over the next fifteen years that he was in practice there) and N.O. calls to me like no other place on earth. It does infect the blood, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteGinny, Boocat, it's odd, but I know native New Orleanians who remain immune from the "infection" and can shake the dust off their feet and never look back. And then I know folks who come from other places and immediately fall under the spell and "get it" immediately and want to stay.
ReplyDeleteI've felt like an exile for all the years I've lived away.