Our 'village' Lives of the Past

S

smiley

Senior Member
Location
Australia
I moved at the age of 15 from a large UK city to a small country village of 6000 souls. It was a great move and great life for a few years - loves blossomed - jobs started and then the urge to travel and move My mother was devastated - my father disclosed that she cried every night for 3 months??

The village still exists and has modernized somewhat and has some old popns that i can still recall and new ones who want a more new and modern village! It also most importantly has a website that I use regularly and reminisce ?? It has become a warm blanket - a comfort in these troubled times and in my last few decades? - Anyone else got similiar experiences??
 

My experience is the opposite.

When my mother remarried we moved to a small village that hadn’t changed too rapidly.

As a tweenager and teenager, village life gave me a great deal of independence and freedom in a fairly safe environment.

Today, much of the charming village center is gone and the place seems small and depressing.

The little bungalow that we lived in is unkempt and rundown.

I still visit the local cemetery once a year to pay my respects but I have no desire to return.

If I had continued to live there over the last half century and absorbed the changes gradually I might feel differently.

Maybe, I’m the one that changed the most. 🤔
 
I lived in a large city most of my life, then retired to a small rural town, thinking it would be more pleasant, less hectic, less crime, neighbors would be friendlier, etc. Some of that's true, some isn't. There are good and bad neighbors everywhere.

Other than a few restaurants, there's no entertainment such as movies. The only shopping options are Walmart, a couple of dollar stores, a grocery store, 2 overpriced hardware stores, and one overpriced appliance outlet that sells only "seconds."

When I need work done to my house, if I call a local company, they'll say they're coming to give an estimate, but 50% of the time, they never show up. Then I have to reach out to companies further away, who charge extra due to their mileage getting here.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, so maybe I shouldn't complain. I don't require a lot of entertainment or shopping at this point in my life. But sometimes I get concerned if something went wrong with my health so that I was unable to drive, I couldn't call a cab, and there is no public transportation of any kind here. You're not going anywhere unless you have a car or know a friend who will drive you.
 

MACKTEXAS said:
I lived in a large city most of my life, then retired to a small rural town, thinking it would be more pleasant, less hectic, less crime, neighbors would be friendlier, etc. Some of that's true, some isn't. There are good and bad neighbors everywhere.

Other than a few restaurants, there's no entertainment such as movies. The only shopping options are Walmart, a couple of dollar stores, a grocery store, 2 overpriced hardware stores, and one overpriced appliance outlet that sells only "seconds."

When I need work done to my house, if I call a local company, they'll say they're coming to give an estimate, but 50% of the time, they never show up. Then I have to reach out to companies further away, who charge extra due to their mileage getting here.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, so maybe I shouldn't complain. I don't require a lot of entertainment or shopping at this point in my life. But sometimes I get concerned if something went wrong with my health so that I was unable to drive, I couldn't call a cab, and there is no public transportation of any kind here. You're not going anywhere unless you have a car or know a friend who will drive you.
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'' if I call a local company, they'll say they're coming to give an estimate, but 50% of the time, they never show up."

For some reason would have never thought that in Texas .

It is typical here . I had 8 plumbing jobs this week and never set out for that many now that retired but it is what it is and a few commented that I show up on time , in fact show up at all , lol .

Lots of younger workers are in la lala land because as you know our bunch were not raised to make an appointment and not keep it .

They call me as I do not text , I make the appointment , write and it down yes I still use a note book but it was more this week then wanted but again to get back to your point you would think those with full times businesses would want just that business and be professionals , show up .

Again never though it happened in Texas but here happens all time .
 
MACKTEXAS said:
But sometimes I get concerned if something went wrong with my health so that I was unable to drive, I couldn't call a cab, and there is no public transportation of any kind here. You're not going anywhere unless you have a car or know a friend who will drive you.
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I can relate. I mostly no longer drive so my huzz has to do all the driving. (Should he still be driving? Yeah, but who knows for how much longer because let's face it: if you live long enough, it's not a question of if you ever should give up driving, it's when.) So if I could afford (and convince Huzz) to move back to the big city area where I grew up, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
 
officerripley said:
I can relate. I mostly no longer drive so my huzz has to do all the driving. (Should he still be driving? Yeah, but who knows for how much longer because let's face it: if you live long enough, it's not a question of if you ever should give up driving, it's when.) So if I could afford (and convince Huzz) to move back to the big city area where I grew up, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
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One BIG plus with city are buses , trains if you have them lots Ubers all over .
 
NotCompSavy said:
Lol yes though I suspect I am only person here who does not know how to text .
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I'm happy to join you, NCS. I don't text, and I don't use one of those heroin phones that so many use, which requires a "fix" every couple of minutes..:cautious:

I do have an old flip phone, but I warn people that I don't text. With no keyboard, it takes 30 seconds to hunt & type the word "cat".
 
ChiroDoc said:
I'm happy to join you, NCS. I don't text, and I don't use one of those heroin phones that so many use, which requires a "fix" every couple of minutes..:cautious:

I do have an old flip phone, but I warn people that I don't text. With no keyboard, it takes 30 seconds to hunt & type the word "cat".
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Funny thing is just using the phone in public some people look at you like they are seeing a ghost their jaws drop .

My daughters sent me a new model but it is not my personality I refuse to upgrade . I was forced to " upgrade '' by phone co as some nonsense that my old old type no longer in their system and they sent me a generic flat phone but I refused , I had some tech change something on my phone and still have it .

In other words a free new upgrade or I pay extra to keep an archaic phone , I paid to keep the archaic phone because as a famous Clown from living color once said " Homie don't play that '
 
some argue that cities are made up of a myriad of 'smaller villages/hamlets' whatever - I get that - but it's very hard to take away the constant buzz of noise that cities can generate - I lived in HK once a city that never sleeps they claim - but I was younger and had a fun time as well as working. I was born in one too but that was just at the close of WWII - once the war finished the city was very quiet - in many streets not a car could be seen or owned - it was a pretty quiet city then. I think when we're younger we can usually handle cities and find them very convenient
 
Internet phones are the new smoking, gum chewing, and foot tapping-- all rolled into one. Their typical usage is rude and beyond annoying.

My sight is not good, so I can't even read the damn things. And now most TV dramas and movies oftentimes show what's on people's phones as part of the story. I can almost never read them as shown, so I miss out on plot points. I wish those silly things were never invented.
 
ChiroDoc said:
Internet phones are the new smoking, gum chewing, and foot tapping-- all rolled into one. Their typical usage is rude and beyond annoying.

My sight is not good, so I can't even read the damn things. And now most TV dramas and movies oftentimes show what's on people's phones as part of the story. I can almost never read them as shown, so I miss out on plot points. I wish those silly things were never invented.
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If I remember correctly you like the show Seinfeld thus you like Larry , this was brilliant .

 
let's go into some deep and psychological?? - Each time we go produce these 'pearls of wisdom' [thread topics] there is often a deep seated reason only known to ourselves but probably spotted by most?

My little nuclear family now consists of 2 - younger bro died of leaukaemia and Ma and Pa gone of course - so looking back in different was is either a therapy or a crutch - not sure which - but sometimes it seems to sooth the savage breast or is that savage the soothing breast - all I'm trying to say is that there is often a deep-seated past that lurks about?
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I lived in a large city most of my life, then retired to a small rural town, thinking it would be more pleasant, less hectic, less crime, neighbors would be friendlier, etc. Some of that's true, some isn't. There are good and bad neighbors everywhere.

Other than a few restaurants, there's no entertainment such as movies. The only shopping options are Walmart, a couple of dollar stores, a grocery store, 2 overpriced hardware stores, and one overpriced appliance outlet that sells only "seconds."

When I need work done to my house, if I call a local company, they'll say they're coming to give an estimate, but 50% of the time, they never show up. Then I have to reach out to companies further away, who charge extra due to their mileage getting here.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, so maybe I shouldn't complain. I don't require a lot of entertainment or shopping at this point in my life. But sometimes I get concerned if something went wrong with my health so that I was unable to drive, I couldn't call a cab, and there is no public transportation of any kind here. You're not going anywhere unless you have a car or know a friend who will drive you.
Click to expand...
Ah well there is a simple solution to everything almost? - you need a circle of friends - small or large or even medium sized who will and can provide many needs emotional ; social and emergencies - report back later??
 
NotCompSavy said:
'' if I call a local company, they'll say they're coming to give an estimate, but 50% of the time, they never show up."

For some reason would have never thought that in Texas .

It is typical here . I had 8 plumbing jobs this week and never set out for that many now that retired but it is what it is and a few commented that I show up on time , in fact show up at all , lol .

Lots of younger workers are in la lala land because as you know our bunch were not raised to make an appointment and not keep it .

They call me as I do not text , I make the appointment , write and it down yes I still use a note book but it was more this week then wanted but again to get back to your point you would think those with full times businesses would want just that business and be professionals , show up .

Again never though it happened in Texas but here happens all time .
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Ive had the same thing happen too many times. I was raised if you cant make your appointment is rude not to call.
I wonder if they need to be reminded by one of those obnoxious nanny texts/emails the doctor, dentist etc sends me.



ChiroDoc said:
I'm happy to join you, NCS. I don't text, and I don't use one of those heroin phones that so many use, which requires a "fix" every couple of minutes..:cautious:

I do have an old flip phone, but I warn people that I don't text. With no keyboard, it takes 30 seconds to hunt & type the word "cat".
Click to expand...

I used to have a flip phone. I have a new phone only cause the husband nagged me. I can relate to "cat".
I tell people you dont want me to text you. Having to text irritates me no end due to all my mistyping and correcting and I still only end up typing two words. Makes me want to slap you three times and hit you with my left shoe the next time I see you. #sorry. not sorry. :D
 
Veronica said:
Ive had the same thing happen too many times. I was raised if you cant make your appointment is rude not to call.
I wonder if they need to be reminded by one of those obnoxious nanny texts/emails the doctor, dentist etc sends me.





I used to have a flip phone. I have a new phone only cause the husband nagged me. I can relate to "cat".
I tell people you dont want me to text you. Having to text irritates me no end due to all my mistyping and correcting and I still only end up typing two words. Makes me want to slap you three times and hit you with my left shoe the next time I see you. #sorry. not sorry. :D
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As of today I have been very fortunate health wise so no meds and was able to do this .

I was at Doctors office few months ago for check up , appointment was at 1 pm it was 3 pm and Doctor still did not show up and other patients told me this was normal from him due to his am golf .

Staff acted like no big deal but it was to me so left and politely before leaving gave them a lecture with full waiting room , was not rude but made the point that only a punk without self respect puts up with this .

I am an uneducated Plumber yes not a Doctor but I have not once in my life wiped my @ with anyone .
 
I once worked alongside doctors - most were very compassionate and good - but there are always a few bad eggs and things I think are getting worse - yes you can have a European qualification but a far eastern life style attitude and sometimes they don't meld too well??
 
smiley said:
I once worked alongside doctors - most were very compassionate and good - but there are always a few bad eggs and things I think are getting worse - yes you can have a European qualification but a far eastern life style attitude and sometimes they don't meld too well??
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oh yes I agree most are very good .

Edit : let me add there is a real problem in Miami with people being on time or having concept of time which for me has been impossible to adjust to .
 

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