Main AC pooped the bed yesterday. Called 'my guy' he was here in 20 min and had cool air in 20 more.
The joys of small town life
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I’ll second that. Have always experienced great service from appliance dealers, car repair guy, plumbers, electricians. It helps make up for everyone knowing everyone else’s business, LOL.
Thats Great Service
However here in the Big city many of our customers get same day service at costs often lower than in rural areas.
I have had customers that have moved here from such far flung areas as South Dakota that could not believe how little it cost to get their appliances fixed.
In addition appliances and cars usually cost much less in big city areas.
Yes there are many advantages to living in a more rural areas that I can really appreciate, but the material standard of living is not nearly as good especially when you factor in the lower wages.
John L.
However here in the Big city many of our customers get same day service at costs often lower than in rural areas.
I have had customers that have moved here from such far flung areas as South Dakota that could not believe how little it cost to get their appliances fixed.
In addition appliances and cars usually cost much less in big city areas.
Yes there are many advantages to living in a more rural areas that I can really appreciate, but the material standard of living is not nearly as good especially when you factor in the lower wages.
John L.
Tom,
Glad to hear that your small-town experience was good!
Many times I think about leaving what, to me, is "the big city" and move out into a more-rural part of the state. I have fond memories of my paternal grandparents' place, which came to be an uncle's place and which I visited frequently in the summer. However, as I get older I have to consider my healthcare options (limited in AL), and as I don't drive a new car, my automobile maintenance options. Also, I'm always looking for "fixer up" property and would initially be attracted to that possibility; then I think - how far to a hardware store? HD? Lowe's? Lumber company? Sherwin-Williams? Then - there's the gay issue and how that might play out in a small-town-Alabama location...
Bottom line is I think I'm better off where I am and leave well-enough alone. But I'm glad your place is working out for you, regardless of how large or small Monticello is.
lawrence
Glad to hear that your small-town experience was good!
Many times I think about leaving what, to me, is "the big city" and move out into a more-rural part of the state. I have fond memories of my paternal grandparents' place, which came to be an uncle's place and which I visited frequently in the summer. However, as I get older I have to consider my healthcare options (limited in AL), and as I don't drive a new car, my automobile maintenance options. Also, I'm always looking for "fixer up" property and would initially be attracted to that possibility; then I think - how far to a hardware store? HD? Lowe's? Lumber company? Sherwin-Williams? Then - there's the gay issue and how that might play out in a small-town-Alabama location...
Bottom line is I think I'm better off where I am and leave well-enough alone. But I'm glad your place is working out for you, regardless of how large or small Monticello is.
lawrence
blackstone
Well-known member
All of this discussion is moot, if your house burns down. If you live in a very remote area in which there are no fire hydrants, you could lose your house if a fire breaks out. It's been on the news more than once, where firemen have to depend on filling a tanker from the nearest lake to get water. I live in a medium-size city (approx. 150,000) with a professional fire department, and my house is close to quite a few hydrants.
In fact, one time the firemen were all TOO rapid in their response. At the time, my dryer was venting through the attic, in the winter, and someone saw white "smoke" and called the fire dept. I saw the firetrucks stopping in front of my house. By the time that I was able to throw on a jacket and run outside to see what the problem was, the firemen had already started chopping down my side door.
In fact, one time the firemen were all TOO rapid in their response. At the time, my dryer was venting through the attic, in the winter, and someone saw white "smoke" and called the fire dept. I saw the firetrucks stopping in front of my house. By the time that I was able to throw on a jacket and run outside to see what the problem was, the firemen had already started chopping down my side door.
vacerator
Well-known member
sure,
in the plus 90 heat, if you don't dial up some, it cycles a lot more, and stresses the start relay, or pops the fuse inside the unit. Very common.
in the plus 90 heat, if you don't dial up some, it cycles a lot more, and stresses the start relay, or pops the fuse inside the unit. Very common.
My parents still live in podunct with about 800+- people. There are still some small town servicers who do a good job. I now live in a suburb of Nashville with 35,000 people. I am less than a mile from the nearest fire station and hospital, and only a mile from Kroger, Walmart, and Lowes, and two miles from the Ford/Lincoln dealership. I am spoiled by that...but I sure wish I had a place just outside the city limits but within 10 minutes of "town". I hate having neighbors.
We're not rural..
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">We're not rural but compared to some Little Rock is a small city. I try to support the local community when I can like local ACE vs. Lowe's, etc. </span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">On Sunday the spring broke on one of the garage doors. Called the local Overhead Door company at 8AM Monday morning. They were here at 8:45 and all was done by 10am. It would have been done sooner but since they were here I had them replace springs in the other door too since they were both 18 years old and it was likely a matter of time before the other one pops.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">We're not rural but compared to some Little Rock is a small city. I try to support the local community when I can like local ACE vs. Lowe's, etc. </span>
<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">On Sunday the spring broke on one of the garage doors. Called the local Overhead Door company at 8AM Monday morning. They were here at 8:45 and all was done by 10am. It would have been done sooner but since they were here I had them replace springs in the other door too since they were both 18 years old and it was likely a matter of time before the other one pops.</span>
Wow.... I live in the wrong small town! If anything big goes on the fritz in Ogden, 8 out of 10 service companies called will say "We won't travel that far"!
I made a point of buying a heat pump from a company who would, however!
I made a point of buying a heat pump from a company who would, however!
TD, the beauty of my small town is all the service providers are locals! I just realized I'm on first name basis with my plumber, HVAC guy, electrical guy (whose a gal), Mayor, Doctor, pill pusher.
Small Towns
It's an interesting and I suppose unique living experience compared to the anonymous-ness of a big city.
The guy who fixed my garage door several months ago ... I bought my Calypso set from them at a garage sale 12 years ago, and his wife is daughter of one of my mother's classmates who worked at the pharmacy I patronize, and *she* is sister to the bread-delivery guy who originally serviced the theater ... and *their* mother was an acquaintance of my grandmother.
The woman who fixed my water well several months ago ... I've been acquainted with them for years as long-time theater patrons, they tend to stay through the credits and I'd sometimes chat with them as they walked out. I didn't know they run a water well service until she showed up at my door. Very pleasant surprise.
A nurse (best phlebotomist I've yet experienced) of one of my previous doctors is a cousin to one of my dad's cousins, she recognized my surname.
The wife of one of the theater owners, I knew of two of her sisters who lived for years in my home town ... which I didn't know that they are related until a while after starting work there.
The landlord of my apartment when I first moved to town here was father-in-law of the younger of the three theater owners.
My current barber-woman was my next-door neighbor at my first house and is a cousin of the caregiver who took care of granny, and granny worked with their grandmother years ago.
Etc.
It's an interesting and I suppose unique living experience compared to the anonymous-ness of a big city.
The guy who fixed my garage door several months ago ... I bought my Calypso set from them at a garage sale 12 years ago, and his wife is daughter of one of my mother's classmates who worked at the pharmacy I patronize, and *she* is sister to the bread-delivery guy who originally serviced the theater ... and *their* mother was an acquaintance of my grandmother.
The woman who fixed my water well several months ago ... I've been acquainted with them for years as long-time theater patrons, they tend to stay through the credits and I'd sometimes chat with them as they walked out. I didn't know they run a water well service until she showed up at my door. Very pleasant surprise.
A nurse (best phlebotomist I've yet experienced) of one of my previous doctors is a cousin to one of my dad's cousins, she recognized my surname.
The wife of one of the theater owners, I knew of two of her sisters who lived for years in my home town ... which I didn't know that they are related until a while after starting work there.
The landlord of my apartment when I first moved to town here was father-in-law of the younger of the three theater owners.
My current barber-woman was my next-door neighbor at my first house and is a cousin of the caregiver who took care of granny, and granny worked with their grandmother years ago.
Etc.
My late partner Lynn and I lived in a town of 1500 for 4 years; with my leaving there 2 years ago last week. Lynn passed away there in 1914. Seems like yesterday.
I cannot fault the emergency services in this small town! I found Lynn dead about 10:10 at night, sadly. I quickly called 911 and before I was off the phone with the operator, I could hear the town fire alarm going off to call in the evening crew (Volunteer crew). Our Police chief was at the door within 2 minutes and the Aid truck there minutes later, with the fire chief in his PJ top and shorts! I believe there ended up being 8 people in the house and they did their job with courtesy and respect. The Police chief even stayed with me until the funeral home car arrived. Standard procedure, he said.
The entire town knew by noon the next day which surprised me! Til the day I left Sumas, people asked how I was and watched out for for my house when I traveled and often how I was doing (That got old fast)! I miss small town life! I hope to get back there to retire...eventually. Greg
I cannot fault the emergency services in this small town! I found Lynn dead about 10:10 at night, sadly. I quickly called 911 and before I was off the phone with the operator, I could hear the town fire alarm going off to call in the evening crew (Volunteer crew). Our Police chief was at the door within 2 minutes and the Aid truck there minutes later, with the fire chief in his PJ top and shorts! I believe there ended up being 8 people in the house and they did their job with courtesy and respect. The Police chief even stayed with me until the funeral home car arrived. Standard procedure, he said.
The entire town knew by noon the next day which surprised me! Til the day I left Sumas, people asked how I was and watched out for for my house when I traveled and often how I was doing (That got old fast)! I miss small town life! I hope to get back there to retire...eventually. Greg
It has its pros and cons, but when people ask me about growing up in such a small spot on the map, I usually reply, "I escaped"!
vacerator
Well-known member
Yup Greg,
so glad my folks left ours when I was 6.
so glad my folks left ours when I was 6.
Small towns have their pros and cons. My town is 8 miles to the "big city" and my house is in a beautiful setting. Lately, the town elected officials seem to be very power hungry and you better be liked or we deny any and all permits. A neighbor had a tree come down and supposedly he could not remove it until the next planning board meeting to vote on it. They threatened legal action against the town and the town backed down.
before I could post to this thread
I had to go to Camden to renew the tag on our pickup truck yesterday, and I laughed out loud when I entered the courthouse and found the security checkpoint in "self service" mode. Look both ways before crossing, put your bag on the counter, walk through the metal detector, pick up your bag and go about your business. (I planned to take a full perspective picture on my way out, but someone showed up with a box of lunches or something and started messing about behind the counter.
Camden Alabama is my small town. It both a time capsule and a community reinventing itself. My family has roots in Camden going back generations. Our home place is about twenty minutes from town across the Alabama river. My mother and uncles went to high school there then moved away marrying (and in my mother's case, marrying again and again). Mother returned to the area at age 33 on husband number 4. I was troubled and angry yet despite all of my many shortcomings, I was welcomed into high school and the community of my peers' families as if I was the prodigal daughter. Three years later, my mother moved on to marriage number 5 and I to boarding school yet Camden still feels like home and claims me as her own. Over the years, several of my classmates have experienced trauma or other events that have brought them back home where they were loved, nurtured and healed. Many stayed to raise their families.
Lawrence, several years ago a gay couple bought a house and renovated it. As the story goes, they fell in love with the town, bought and renovated another home and a building downtown on Broad Street...
An article about the couple and restaurant is linked below. I am bothered by one thing about the article--it seems to focus on The Pecan as the beginning of Camden's revitalization, but I think the Gaines Ridge Supper Club (whose founder still talks about my husband's father being her very first boyfriend in second grade.) which opened in the early 80s and draws people from many of the surrounding areas was the beginning, the anchor that provided a basis for the Blackbelt Treasures Cultural Arts Center (2005) and other small businesses that paved the way for The Pecan.
The home Chris Bailey and Ryan Dunagan bought, renovated and named Riverbend was the family home of my mother's best friend. I remember going there with my mother to visit. I would play under a magnificent magnolia tree. When I came inside for a rest, the cook--the help, would make me fresh lemonade one glass at a time.
So, Lawrence, what Camden needs next is a bed and breakfast. Are you game? Either way, when I bring The Pines into a more habitable state, I hope you will come visit.
Sarah
The regional art at Blackbelt Treasures is stunning, amazing--
http://www.blackbelttreasures.com/
www.al.com
I had to go to Camden to renew the tag on our pickup truck yesterday, and I laughed out loud when I entered the courthouse and found the security checkpoint in "self service" mode. Look both ways before crossing, put your bag on the counter, walk through the metal detector, pick up your bag and go about your business. (I planned to take a full perspective picture on my way out, but someone showed up with a box of lunches or something and started messing about behind the counter.
Camden Alabama is my small town. It both a time capsule and a community reinventing itself. My family has roots in Camden going back generations. Our home place is about twenty minutes from town across the Alabama river. My mother and uncles went to high school there then moved away marrying (and in my mother's case, marrying again and again). Mother returned to the area at age 33 on husband number 4. I was troubled and angry yet despite all of my many shortcomings, I was welcomed into high school and the community of my peers' families as if I was the prodigal daughter. Three years later, my mother moved on to marriage number 5 and I to boarding school yet Camden still feels like home and claims me as her own. Over the years, several of my classmates have experienced trauma or other events that have brought them back home where they were loved, nurtured and healed. Many stayed to raise their families.
Lawrence, several years ago a gay couple bought a house and renovated it. As the story goes, they fell in love with the town, bought and renovated another home and a building downtown on Broad Street...
An article about the couple and restaurant is linked below. I am bothered by one thing about the article--it seems to focus on The Pecan as the beginning of Camden's revitalization, but I think the Gaines Ridge Supper Club (whose founder still talks about my husband's father being her very first boyfriend in second grade.) which opened in the early 80s and draws people from many of the surrounding areas was the beginning, the anchor that provided a basis for the Blackbelt Treasures Cultural Arts Center (2005) and other small businesses that paved the way for The Pecan.
The home Chris Bailey and Ryan Dunagan bought, renovated and named Riverbend was the family home of my mother's best friend. I remember going there with my mother to visit. I would play under a magnificent magnolia tree. When I came inside for a rest, the cook--the help, would make me fresh lemonade one glass at a time.
So, Lawrence, what Camden needs next is a bed and breakfast. Are you game? Either way, when I bring The Pines into a more habitable state, I hope you will come visit.
Sarah
The regional art at Blackbelt Treasures is stunning, amazing--
http://www.blackbelttreasures.com/
Upscale eatery and market give this small town in Alabama new life
When Ryan Dunagan and Chris Bailey bought a “country house” in Camden, they fell in love with the town. Now they have plans to help revitalize it.
twintubdexter
Well-known member
Things can sure change...
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I grew up in 1950's/1960's San Jose. I remember it as mostly a "small town". The older I got the more I saw orchards disappear and turn into housing and businesses. I always thought it would be great to live in a "real" city. When the department store I worked for gave me a promotion I suddenly found myself in San Francisco faster that if I was wearing ruby slippers. I felt so very cosmopolitan. I considered my parents to be "back on the farm" in San Jose. I'd visit but couldn't wait to get back to The City and my new friends from all over the Country. </span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I've never considered The Palm Springs area to be city-like and at first went to nearby Los Angeles every chance I could get. Everything was there, but now I've often thought how nice it would be to live in nearby Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear. All those pine trees and fresh air...and no cactus, palm trees or smoldering heat. But as nice as that seems, now that I'm old and not well, a city-type area is much better for me. Eisenhower Medical Center is about 10 minutes from me. I'm there a lot for chemo and occasionally arrive via ambulance. Being far away from major medical care for someone in my condition would not be a wise move. If you're young and/or in good health, be very grateful and enjoy it! </span>
[this post was last edited: 8/1/2019-19:11]
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I grew up in 1950's/1960's San Jose. I remember it as mostly a "small town". The older I got the more I saw orchards disappear and turn into housing and businesses. I always thought it would be great to live in a "real" city. When the department store I worked for gave me a promotion I suddenly found myself in San Francisco faster that if I was wearing ruby slippers. I felt so very cosmopolitan. I considered my parents to be "back on the farm" in San Jose. I'd visit but couldn't wait to get back to The City and my new friends from all over the Country. </span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I've never considered The Palm Springs area to be city-like and at first went to nearby Los Angeles every chance I could get. Everything was there, but now I've often thought how nice it would be to live in nearby Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear. All those pine trees and fresh air...and no cactus, palm trees or smoldering heat. But as nice as that seems, now that I'm old and not well, a city-type area is much better for me. Eisenhower Medical Center is about 10 minutes from me. I'm there a lot for chemo and occasionally arrive via ambulance. Being far away from major medical care for someone in my condition would not be a wise move. If you're young and/or in good health, be very grateful and enjoy it! </span>
[this post was last edited: 8/1/2019-19:11]
Sarah,
What an interesting family history you have! I've never visited Camden but have seen the name many times. One of it's citizens is Cartledge Blackwell, who used to be employed by the City of Mobile, but who now runs the Mardi Gras Museum (I think I'm telling that correctly). Cart has spoken at Spring Hill Presbyterian many times since I moved down here and will be leading a Sunday School class on the 10th of August about the museum. I will be out of town that weekend so I will not get to hear him speak.
About as close to Camden as I've considered is Jackson, although my first choice would be Monroeville; however, Monroeville doesn't have a PCUSA church and Jackson does. For the time being I am in Mobile and will probably stay here as long as my mother is alive.
I'll have to check out Camden. It sounds like an interesting spot. Thanks for the heads up!
lawrence
What an interesting family history you have! I've never visited Camden but have seen the name many times. One of it's citizens is Cartledge Blackwell, who used to be employed by the City of Mobile, but who now runs the Mardi Gras Museum (I think I'm telling that correctly). Cart has spoken at Spring Hill Presbyterian many times since I moved down here and will be leading a Sunday School class on the 10th of August about the museum. I will be out of town that weekend so I will not get to hear him speak.
About as close to Camden as I've considered is Jackson, although my first choice would be Monroeville; however, Monroeville doesn't have a PCUSA church and Jackson does. For the time being I am in Mobile and will probably stay here as long as my mother is alive.
I'll have to check out Camden. It sounds like an interesting spot. Thanks for the heads up!
lawrence
COB
If you come to Camden, you must have a COB (Chicken on Bread) from Jackson's. Even Mark Zuckerberg has had one...
If you come to Camden, you must have a COB (Chicken on Bread) from Jackson's. Even Mark Zuckerberg has had one...
