In Which I Continue to Grow

Another from this impromptu shoot: goofing around with my two favourite globes.


As of September 15, I will have been here for 4 months, or a third of my tenure as a VISTA.  I've been thinking lately about what I've learned--about myself, this place, and the universe in general--since May 15th.  As per usual, I made a list.

Things I Have Learned, or Weird Habits I've Picked Up in West Virginia
- Taking laundry off a clothesline after it's clean and dry is one of the most calming exercises I've found. Seriously, try it.  It's all very zen.
- I can no longer go to sleep if I have dirty dishes in the sink.  A little voice which sounds suspiciously like my mother's gets to harping on me and next thing I know I'm back in the kitchen.
- When driving up or down a mountain, if you see a sign telling you to slow to 25 miles an hour, do it.  If it's advising a speed of 10 mph, you might as well stop.
- My brain now translates the words "Thrift," "Goodwill," and "Salvation Army" to SHOPPING SPREE!  And I'm totally okay with this.
- Netflix is God's gift to rural communities.
- A trip to the swimming hole turns any blue day bright and happy.
- I may not be able to fix the broken toilet, but I can apparently diagnose it.  Just call me the Toilet Whisperer.  (Seriously, that's awful, please don't do that.)
- Sometimes a skunk will wander into your yard.  There's nothing to be done except to close the windows, crank up the fans, prepare for an unpleasantly stuffy night, and pray it doesn't take exception to anything while its out there.
- Living without air conditioning, a dryer, or contact lenses has not killed me.  Living without the internet did not kill me.  Luxuries are pretty much just that.
- I really, really love arugula, and hummus, and good Italian cheese.  I had no idea how much until I was denied access to all of it.
- Not having cell phone service is not the end of the world.  In fact, it's often kind of nice.
- I love drive-in movies just as much as I thought I would.  Vista remains undecided.
- I do not mind giant bugs.  I really, really hate cobwebs.
- A good flannel shirt is worth its weight in gold.

That's all for now.  Goodness knows how this list will grow once the snows descend upon us.  I'm already shopping for boots.  In August.  I guess that should go on the list, too.