Love to Live Here Annette Sievert
One of the first things that struck me when we moved here was the absence of honking. Now, you have to know that we lived in NY, albeit in Upstate, but nevertheless, the New Yorkers honk. Constantly. You are admiring a puppy on the side walk and miss the change to green by 2 nanoseconds – HONK. You are changing lanes and there are less than 4 miles between you and the guy on the right –HONK. You need more than the guy behind you thinks it should take to turn around a corner in a snow storm – HONK.
he turned around and literally ran back to open the door for me to leave. Wow!
Ok, we do not have snowstorms (very often), but the patience in traffic here is unparalleled. I don’t know how often I looked at something in the distance or my thoughts had wondered off and all of a sudden I realized, oops, it is green. Nothing from the back. Behind me is an unfazed individual who seems to think nothing of taking the next green phase, should I not notice this one at all.
In all of the stores I frequent, I know by now a few people who will do what they possibly can to help me get in, find what I need in no time, and let me leave with a friendly “thanks for coming.”
Same with a lot of other encounters. Although I am not always enchanted with the friendly chat at the register asking how my day is going so far and if I have plans for the weekend (why on Earth should I tell you and why are you even asking), it beats the girl at the register in NY where we lived with a too short top and a stretch-marked belly that was sort of laid out on the register belt, chewing gum and mumbling the amount to pay, no hello, no smile, no thank you for your business. The other day I wanted to leave a store and a guy had just left,
Then there are the stores. There are actually people working there with knowledge about their wares and goods. Take Bi Mart. Virtually everybody there will be able to point out to you where exactly something is to be found, or they’ll go out of their way to find it for you and if they claim to not have what you were looking for -- you actually believe them.
I know a lot of people who are sort of unhappy with our local government but I have nothing negative to say. Take the Assessor’s Office, virtually everybody there is helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Coming from an environment that made you come home scornful and drained this is such a positive change! Another reason why I love to live here!
Cruising the Wine Country? Buzz on by our delightful gift shop, right on the farm,
on hwy 99 between Corvallis and McMinnville
Lavender Gifts • Specialty Foods Soaps • Lotions • Classes & Events
Watch for our On-The-Farm Tea events
www.lavenderlakefarms.com
Call 503-838-2620 For More Information or Visit the Farm at 3395 S. Pacific Hwy in Independence Oregon w w w . w i l l a m e t t e l i v i n g . c o m
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